“The eighth principle of his highness Bahā’u’llāh is that education of all [people] is essential. It is necessary that the guidelines and laws of education be the same [everywhere] so that all humankind are given identical education. This means education and nurturing must be the same in all schools. All elements and methods must be the same so that the oneness of humanity is established in the hearts from an early age.”[1]

The definition of Universal Compulsory Education means all the people of the world must forcefully be identically educated using the exact same methods and curriculum.

Bahā’u’llāh says:

Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone.[1]

`Abdu’l-Bahā follows his father’s footsteps and declares that education is compulsory for all:

Educating and nurturing is compulsory by the Blessed Beauty’s definite decree. Whoever neglects [this order] will be deprived of [God’s] great bounties.[2]

In this new era, [it has been mentioned] in God’s book that educating and nurturing is a compulsory matter, not optional. This means that it is absolutely mandatory for fathers and mothers to endeavor to educate and nurture girls and boys to the utmost extent.[3]

If a family lacks the means to educate their offspring, the expenses must be provided from public funds:

Every child must be educated as much as needed. If the parents can pay for its expenses, that is great. If not, the community must prepare the necessary means for the child’s education.[4]

`Abdu’l-Bahā further stresses that these orders must not be forsaken:

Regarding [these orders] no weakness must be shown and they must not be neglected. If the child is killed it is definitely better than it being left ignorant. For the innocent child will be infested with all kinds of imperfections and will be questioned by the Lord and interrogated and will be dispraised and rejected by the people.[5]

If the parents neglect this most greatest matter, which has been revealed by the pen of the Ancient Lord (Mālik Qidam) in the Book of Aqdas, they will be deprived of the right of fatherhood and will be regarded guilty by God.[6]

[1] Bahā’u’llāh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26.

[2] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, p. 214.

[3] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, pp. 214–215.

[4] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt), vol. 3, p. 109.

[5] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt), vol. 1, p. 334.

[6] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, p. 214.

[1] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 148.