IN THE PUBLIC mind, the right to education does not always rise to the highest level
of concern. Other basic human rights —
especially those concerned with rights to life,
liberty and personal security — often seem more
urgent. And to be fair, instances of innocent people being executed, thrown into prison, or tortured
demand our immediate attention and action.
Yet in the long view, the denial of a person’s
right to education is equally a denial of his right
to exist as a free and productive human being. For
without education, the individual is condemned
to the prison of his own ignorance, tortured over
his lack of opportunities, and, more than likely,
consigned to a life