Religious Freedom in Education: A Fundamental Human Right

Abstract

From the earliest times, humans recognized the need to call on a higher being as they engaged in what today is described as freedom of religion. At the outset of the second decade of the twenty-first century, though, a palpable tension exists between two fundamental human rights, freedoms to education and religion. In fact, significant limitations exist in much of the world as to whether people can exercise the rights to religious freedom in education. Against this background, this essay reflects on the relationship between the rights to education and religion. The first two parts of the article highlight relevant passages in international agreements on the status of education and religion, respectively, as fundamental human rights. The third section discusses selected issues on why the rights to education and religious freedom are important. The fourth part offers recommendations for practice before the article rounds out with a brief conclusion.