Article 2 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) obliges States to take the necessary steps to the maximum of its available resources to progressively realise the right to education. Maximum available resources refers to the resources available within the State and from the international community.

States must prioritise the allocation of necessary resources to ensuring the satisfaction of minimum essential levels of the right to education and other economic, social and cultural rights.

See the Committee on Economic, Socaial and Cultural Rights Statement (2007) An evaluation of the obligation to take steps to the ‘maximum available resources’ under an optional protocol to the Covenant.