Articles in the Australian press are referring to a UNESCO declaration where signatories have agreed to “make primary education compulsory and available free to all” under Article 28.

This is in relation to Western Australia now charging school fees for the children of Non Residents in Australia who are in the country on four year working visas, and who bring their children with them.

Article 28 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right
progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
(a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
(b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and
vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate
measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case
of need;
(c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;
(d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all
children;
(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out
rates.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is
administered in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with
the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international co-operation in matters relating to
education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy
throughout the world and facilitating access to scientific and technical knowledge and modern
teaching methods. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing
countries.

Do UNESCO really expect this to apply to children of Non Residents on Temporary visas?

If YES, then why does the UK and the USA charge these fees to children of non residents who just come on working visas.

Why hasn’t anyone complained about the other Australian States that have always charged these fees ?

How many countries can someone go to, on a limited term working Visa, and get FREE education for any child that they bring with them ?

This same document also says:

‘Every person – child, youth and adult – shall be able to benefit from educational opportunities designed to meet their basic learning needs’

‘Everyone has the right to medical care’

http://www.unesco.org/education/information/wer/PDFeng/wholewer.PDF

I think this refers to citizens and permanent residents of a country.

A recent News Report:

August 23, 2013

School fees for visa kids ‘breaches UN treaty’