One witnesses unprecedented disparities in access to education in terms of educational attainments. This constitutes a major limitation on the realization for the right to education without discrimination or exclusion. It calls for greater emphasis upon the fulfi llment of State obligations to ensure that the fundamental principle of equality of opportunity in education which is common to almost all international human rights treaties is given effect to. It also calls for intensifying normative action with emphasis on affirmative action and social protection measures for achieving equality of opportunities in education, both in law and in fact. A strong regulatory framework for public and private education systems grounded in the principle of equality of opportunity provides the essential basis for the establishment of an entire range of programmes and policies, guided by equitable approaches in favour of the marginalized, in particular the children from poor families.