Chapter Two Dimensions of Right to Education under National and International Framework 2.1 Introduction The jurisprudence of Human rights encompasses certain rights as prerequisite to effective realization of other rights (be it civil and political or economic, social and cultural or group rights). These may be termed as core human rights, in absence of which prevalence of human rights and fundamental freedom remains a hollow aspiration. As one of such core human rights, education can be termed as an empowerment right that works as the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities. 6 Universal Declaration of Human Rights in verbatim mandated the education to be directed for the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The remarkable lines tend to signify the indispensable prominence of right to education in the human rights discourse. As a corner stone, the spirit of UDHR has been objectified in the contemporary international human rights instruments, constitutional dispensation, (even more in) national legal and policy framework. This Chapter scrutinises the key international instruments and frameworks featuring right to education. In doing so, the Chapter will focus on the dimensions and explanation of the right to education, its key components, and finally, how the principles underlying the international instruments are reflected in the national policies and legislations. 2.2 Discourse on Right to Education To understand the nature of right to education, at the start, it is essential to conceptualize the connotation of the term Education. It will crystallize our understanding to draw a demarcating line between education and mere literacy. This thins but major line plays a central role in formulating framework and action plan in international and national arena. Moreover, the broader understanding of the concept of education will help to understand the magnitude of Right to education as human rights. At the beginning, it would be pertinent to quote Nelson Mandela who 6 CESCR General Comment No. 13: The Right to Education (Art. 13) (adopted on 8 December 1999) Page | 12