This new UNESCO report, The right to education: Past, present and future directions, takes stock of what has changed for learners and families over the past 25 years – and what still needs to change. It shows how access to education has expanded in many countries, from early childhood to higher education and lifelong learning, while reminding us that millions of children, young people and adults are still out of school or not learning enough.

The report looks at how digital technologies, climate change, conflict, migration and demographic shifts are reshaping education, and what this means for the right to education as a human right. It calls for stronger laws, fairer policies and better investment so that every learner, whatever his background, can access quality education in safe and inclusive environments.

For parents and caregivers, this publication offers a clear overview of the global picture: where progress has been made, where inequalities remain, and how international commitments can translate into concrete changes in schools and communities. It is a useful resource for anyone who wants to understand how the right to education protects children today and how it must evolve to support them in the future.