African Children’s Charter
83
Article 10: Protection of privacy
No child shall be subject to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his
privacy, family, home or correspondence, or to attacks upon his honour or
reputation, provided that parents or legal guardians shall have the right to
exercise reasonable supervision over the conduct of their children. The child
has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 11: Education
1.
Every child shall have the right to education.
2.
The education of the child shall be directed to:
(a) the promotion and development of the child’s personality, talents and
mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;
(b) fostering respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms with
particular reference to those set out in the provisions of various African
instruments on human and peoples’ rights and international human rights
declarations and conventions;
(c) the preservation and strengthening of positive African morals,
traditional values and cultures;
(d) the preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the
spirit of understanding, tolerance, dialogue, mutual respect and friendship
among all peoples[,] ethnic, tribal and religious groups;
(e) the preservation of national independence and territorial integrity;
(f) the promotion and achievement of African unity and solidarity;
(g) the development of respect for the environment and natural resources;
(h) the promotion of the child’s understanding of primary health care.
3.
State parties to the present Charter shall take all appropriate measures
with a view to achieving the full realisation of this right and shall in
particular:
(a) provide free and compulsory basic education;
(b) encourage the development of secondary education in its different
forms and to progressively make it free and accessible to all;
(c) make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity and
ability by every appropriate means;
(d) take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the
reduction of drop-out rates;
(e) take special measures in respect of female, gifted and disadvantaged
children, to ensure equal access to education for all sections of the
community.
4.
State parties to the present Charter shall respect the rights and duties
of parents and, where applicable, of legal guardians to choose for their
children schools, other than those established by public authorities, which
conform to such minimum standards [as] may be approved by the state, to
ensure the religious and moral education of the child in a manner [consistent]
with the evolving capacities of the child.
5.
State parties to the present Charter shall take all appropriate measures
to ensure that a child who is subjected to school or parental discipline shall
be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the
child and in conformity with the present Charter.
6.
State parties to the present Charter shall take all appropriate measures
to ensure that children who become pregnant before completing their
education shall have an opportunity to continue with their education on the
basis of their individual ability.
7.
No part of this article shall be construed as to interfere with the liberty
of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions
subject to the observance of the principles set out in paragraph 1 of this