English Reading Practice

Human Right Number 26:
The Right to Education

1. Watch the video at the top of the page.

2. Read the story "The Right to Education" just below it.

3. Do the exercise at the bottom of the page.

Here is the The Right to Education video. You can watch it in your own language at www.youthforhumanrights.org. (Simply click the word "language" at the top of their homepage.)



The Universal Declaration of Human Rights describes 30 basic rights that each person has, simply because he or she is human.

This is human right number 26 (the simplified version):

"26. The Right to Education. Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn about the United Nations and how to get on with others. Our parents can choose what we learn."

Now read the short story about this important human right.

The Right to Education 

Billy and Cameron study together for a big history test.

Billy has a huge pile of cards with facts written on them. He flips through them, in order to memorize what they say.

Cameron asks, "Why do you do that?"

"You mean the memorization?" Billy answers, "I am trying to remember it all."

"Yes, but it does not seem like you actually understand any of it."

"Not really." Billy agrees, "But who cares as long as I pass the test, right?"

"Well," Cameron says, "you never remember any of it after the test."

"True." Billy agrees again, "But our teacher does remember the grades we get."

"Billy, you have the right for education. It is your right, not your teacher's. It seems like you are wasting it away. Why don't you study for yourself?"

"Study for myself? What does it mean?"

"It means," Cameron explains, "you find out why you study, and then you make sure that you achieve your goal. For example, if you take driving lessons, it is because you want to learn how to drive. It will not make much sense to take driving lessons to pass the test if you cannot drive in the end."

"I think I see your point." Billy says. "Then I guess we should see what the purpose of studying history is. And then maybe I can actually try to understand what I am reading…"

"Yes," Cameron smiles, "I guess we should."

And now, practice:

Exercise 01

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