However , many children around the world can not or do not go to secondary education or higher education . According to the International Covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights the right to education includes the right to free , compulsory primary education for all , an obligation to develop secondary education accessible to all in particular by the progressive introduction of free secondary education , as well as an obligation to develop equitable access to higher education in particular by the progressive introduction of free higher education . The right to education also includes a responsibility to provide basic education for individuals who have not completed primary education .