Paris: Despite significant progress in global education access since 1960, UNESCO has highlighted the urgent need to modernize the legal framework for the right to education, amid growing inequalities fueled by climate change, conflicts, and technological advancements. According to United Nations, UNESCO's new report, "Right to Education: Past, Present and Future," underscores that while strides have been made since the 1960 Convention against Discrimination in Education and the Education 2030 Agenda, substantial disparities persist. Borhene Chakroun, Director of Lifelong Learning at UNESCO, emphasized the necessity of updating the legal framework to prevent leaving a large population behind. The report details the progress achieved in the landscape of free primary education, noting that 82 percent of countries now offer free basic education, a significant increase from 56 percent in 2000. Primary school completion rates have also improved, with 88 percent of children finishing today compared to 77 percent two decades ago. Gender parity in education is nearing realization in most regions, and higher education has expanded significantly, especially in the least developed countries. However, these advancements mask enduring inequalities. The report reveals that 272 million children still leave school prematurely, and 762 million adults remain illiterate, with two-thirds being women. Alarmingly, in some low-income countries, up to 70 percent of ten-year-olds struggle with basic reading comprehension, highlighting a critical learning crisis exacerbated by poverty, inadequate teacher training, weak infrastructure, political instability, and climate shocks. Global disruptions such as climate-related events, which affected the schooling of over 240 million students in 2024 alone, are exerting unprecedented pressure on education systems. UNESCO calls for enhanced system resilience, improved teacher training, and the expansion of hybrid and distance learning models, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Conflict s continue to deprive millions of equitable learning opportunities, particularly displaced children. Artificial intelligence's rapid rise adds to the complexity. Mr. Chakroun stressed the need for a human-centered approach to AI, advocating for robust regulation, teacher training, and tools designed to enhance learning. Lifelong learning is becoming essential amid labor market changes, with UNESCO urging investments in the education of adults, workers, and the elderly to prevent job loss and social disconnection. Countries are already implementing reforms, such as France's individual training account, Singapore's SkillsFuture, Australia's foundational certification for low-skilled adults, and Morocco's constitutional right to vocational training.