The Right to Education

By IHC New Zealand Inc.

Code for New Zealand Schools: Plain Language

This code is for every school in New Zealand.

1. Education is a human right.

2. Everyone has the duty to help people get their human right to education.

3. New Zealand has made promises to the world, that it will give people their human right to education. Some of these promises are in UNCROC, which is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

4. New Zealand has many laws about the human right to education. Two of these are the Education Act 1989, and the Human Rights Act 1993.

5. All schools must welcome and help children and young people to learn.

6. All children and young people have the right to learn together, at their local school, so that they can make friends and find out about the world.

7. It is good for everyone when children and young people learn together. Everyone can learn to respect differences, to make friends and learn not to be afraid.

8. Schools must make sure that they provide the best education for children and young people who are disabled, or who have a learning difficulty.

9. Education is good for everyone. New Zealand schools can make lots of choices, but they cannot choose to break the laws about education Schools must be fair to all children and young people.

10. If children and young people are not being made welcome at their local school, then their families should let the government know. They can phone the Ministry of Education on 0800 622 222, or they could contact the Education Review Office 04 499 2489.

Contact details for IHC Advocacy are 0800 442 442 and www.ihc.org.nz

IHC New Zealand Inc will advocate for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability and support them to live satisfying lives in the community

From IHC New Zealand Inc.