Day 27: Youth Organizing for Education as a Human Right.

From students resisting school-to-prison pipelines in the U.S. to girls fighting for school access in Afghanistan, young people are defending the right to learn. Education is sacred – and no one should be denied it because of race, gender, income, or war.

Across the world, youth are standing up for education as a human right, not a privilege:

United States – Black and Brown students are organizing against the school-to-prison pipeline, demanding investments in counselors, teachers, and restorative justice instead of police in schools. Groups like Youth Justice Coalition in Los Angeles are leading the way.

Afghanistan – Despite Taliban restrictions, Afghan girls and women are creating underground schools and online learning spaces. As Malala Yousafzai reminds us:

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

Chile & South Africa – Student movements have risen up against privatized, unequal education systems, demanding that schooling remain accessible to all, not just the wealthy.

Global Movements – UNESCO affirms that education is a basic human right. Yet 244 million children and youth worldwide are out of school due to poverty, gender discrimination, migration, and war. Young leaders are calling for an end to these injustices and for learning spaces that nurture every child’s potential.

The labor of youth organizing for education is more than protest – it is visionary work. They are protecting futures, creating pathways of dignity, and demanding that societies live up to their promise of equity.

Reflection Question

How might we support youth-led struggles for education – locally and globally – so that learning remains a sacred right for all?

Learn More

Youth Justice Coalition (U.S.) – Youth-led movement against incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline.
Malala Fund – Advocacy for girls’ education globally.
UNESCO: Right to Education – Global framework affirming education as a human right.
Global Campaign for Education – International civil society movement for quality education for all.

A Prayer for the Right to Learn

May every child have a safe place to learn,
free from fear, violence, and silence.
May every gender
be welcomed into classrooms that honor their dignity.
May teachers be resourced,
and their knowledge shared without barrier.
May the courage of young people be visible,
for learning is their sacred right.
And may their vision guide us
toward a world
where every mind
can live
to its fullest potential.