THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION AND TO THE FREEDOM OF CULTURAL LIFE (Article 17) THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION Constitutional Guarantee The FDRE Constitution establishes a universal right to education and emphasizes the need to allocate resources to provide education for all. It also lays down policies to provide for all Ethiopians to have access to education to the extent that the country‟s resources permit. The Constitution provides for state education to be free of any religious influences, political partisanship or cultural prejudices.54 Policy Measures The education policy aims at ensuring equitable and fair distribution of educational opportunities across regions, religion, gender, social class and any other considerations. The policy is based on:  Capacity Building Strategy and Programs (2002)  Education and Training Policy(1994)  Education Sector Policy and Strategy on HIV and AIDS (2009) These policies put in place the practical mechanisms to enhance the capacity of the government to develop the education system. These policies have served as a basis for the promotion of the right to education. Legislative Measures The legislations adopted by the HPR in this regard includes:- 54  Higher Education Proclamation No. 650/2009  Revised Family Code Proclamation No. 213/2000  Technical and Vocational Education and Training Proclamation No. 391/2004  Registration of Vital Events and National Identity Card Proclamation No.760/2012. Article 90(1)and (2) of the FDRE constitution 84