The Right to Receive Education

1912: The Right to Receive Education in the Cayman Islands.

In 1912, 335 parents in the Cayman Islands campaigned for enhanced rights to education for their children.  In an effort to obtain free elementary education for children in the Cayman Islands, a large number of concerned parents petitioned the Legislative Assembly.  Following a seven year battle, the Education Law of 1920, which provided for free compulsory education for all children between 7 and 14 years of age, was finally enacted.

The right of everyone to receive education is now enshrined in Article 13 of the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was adopted in 1966; some 54 years after the Caymanian parents asserted the right that is now found in Article 13 of this International Covenant.  Whilst the provision of human rights in the Cayman Islands would undoubtedly improve with the inclusion of a Chapter of Fundamental Rights in a new Constitution, this would be a supplement to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which, although not directly enforceable, has been extended to the Cayman Islands since 1976.  Containing rights such as the right to receive education and right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing; along with a commitment to according the widest possible protection and assistance to the family as the natural and fundamental group unit of society; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is therefore distinctly relevant to the Cayman Islands.