The Education Database has two distinct modules which draw on different sources, detailed below. Across databases, when countries do not split their education systems according to primary, lower secondary and upper secondary, we assigned these categories based on the available information on levels of schooling to increase comparability across countries. Stages of schooling were established as follows:
Education Database Module 1: Quality of and Access to Education
The WORLD Policy Analysis Center analyzed qualitative reports and national policies as of June 2014 to determine the educational conditions experienced by children around the world. Information on education policies of UN member states were collected primarily from the following sources:
When these sources had incomplete information on policies affecting access to and quality of education, they were supplemented by analyzing information available through the following sources:
We did not capture nations’ “plans” for educational regulations when they focused solely on goals for the future rather than the present situation. As education policy is made at the subnational level and country reports to UNESCO frequently contain subnational information, our data reflect provisions that apply to the majority of states or provinces in the country.
Education Database Module 2: Non-Discrimination and Inclusion for Students with Disabilities
The WORLD Policy Analysis Center reviewed original legislation and statutory protections extended to public education in education acts, child protect legislation, and anti-discrimination legislation as of June 2018 for all 193 UN member states. Original legislative texts were identified primarily using the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s Observatory on the Right to Education and the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s NATLEX database.
Constitutional Rights in Education
The WORLD Policy Analysis Center analyzed national constitutional text in force as of May 2014.
Why consider constitutions?
Among the tools that governments use to regulate human rights are national and sub-national legislation, targeted programs and policies, and national constitutions. Most of the maps in our website are based on national policies and laws such as whether education is free, and whether parents can take leave for children’s health needs. The implications of these policies, if implemented and enforced properly, are clear. Constitutions typically outline a broader set of rights for which implementation mechanisms are less clear. They often need to be translated into laws and policies to have a widespread impact on citizens’ lives, however:
For these reasons, we consider it important to provide information on countries’ constitutional provisions in addition to the commitments outlined in policies and legislation.
For details on the variables included in this category, please see WORLD global maps on Education.
For more information about WORLD’s approach to building globally comparative databases on policies affecting human health, development, well-being, and equity, please visit our Methodology page.