Education is a Human Right

Lys Anzia – WNN Features

-photo Svetlana Bahchevanova / Albanian Girl Learning to Read and Write in Macedonia 1998

During the 1990’s, according to the encyclopedia MSN Encarta, schooling was particularly difficult for many ethnic Albanians. Under the crisis in Kosovo Serbian authorities attempted to close all schools that served to educate ethnic Albanian children. During this time a target in the denial of educational opportunity was aimed directly at Albanian girls. In response to this Kosovar Albanians set up an underground school system in private homes and other locations. Since the establishment of autonomous provincial authority in Kosovo in 1999, the Kosovo education system has undergone systematic reconstruction.

According to UNESCO’s newest 2006 data 18 million additional teachers are needed globally to insure that every child can receive a quality education. Of these children, girls are the most vulnerable to losing the battle to achieving education. In many areas of the world today girls and women are still unable to read and write.