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The significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child for modern education policy 1997 Innocenti Lecture.
A school should not be a ranking mechanism which favours or
handicaps a child in the race for jobs in the future. Indeed if the
child is respected, it is a fundamental mistake to reduce childhood
to a period of preparation for adult life. Also, the principle of non-
discrimination is at the heart of the Convention ; each and every
should have an equal right to education and an education of
quality.
But more than that what does the Convention actually say about
schools? Is there a concrete message to Governments on
education policy? Can the Convention serve as a meaningful
instrument for discussions about how to reform the school
system?"
Thomas Hammarbergs lecture on education uses on the
Convention as a guide to potential reforms in education policy. He
uses the following themes inspired by the Convention as a
structure for his analysis : universal access, equal opportunities,
the appropriate content of education, positive values, methods of
learning, mutual respect, pupil participation and the role of
teachers , parents and the community.Owner: Thomas Hammarberg