KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: The right to all-round education

Article 40 of the Rwandan constitution states: “Every person has the right to education.” However, did you know that the education you receive is not meant to only constitute sitting in a classroom cramming book material? You have a right to the kind of education that helps you realise your full potential. Article 25 of N°54/2011 of 14/12/2011, the Rwandan law relating to the rights and protection of the child says, “Parents, guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child have responsibility to ensure appropriate direction and guidance, education as to respecting others and loving and serving the country for the full development of capacities of the child, according to the national culture.” Further still, according to Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which Rwanda is party to; States Parties agree that “the education of the child shall be directed to the development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential.” This means that while you are in school, you are not supposed to be treated as an identical group of people but you are supposed to be assisted to identify your personal strengths. Article 29 of the UNCRC also states that education should help you develop respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of other people. The article further statuses that education should lead to the “development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own.” In other words, education is supposed to build your patriotism, cultural pride, help you become a law-abiding citizen, help you gain knowledge about your country of origin and about other countries in the world. Additionally and according to article 29 of the UNCRC, education should prepare you for responsible life in a free society, to have a spirit of understanding, peace, equality of men and women, and respect for people from different religions, races and nationalities. Education should also help you in “The development of respect for the natural environment.” Therefore, if your education is missing any of these aspects, you are being deprived of the all-round education you are entitled to.