Education as Liberation and Self-Determination

Sor Juana viewed education not as conformity but as liberation—knowledge as the pathway to freedom and self-determination. For children's rights, this reframes education beyond test scores and credentials. Education should enable children to understand systemic inequalities, recognize their own agency, and envision possibilities beyond their circumstances. This includes teaching history truthfully, including overlooked voices like Sor Juana herself; teaching critical analysis so children can evaluate information and power structures; and fostering creativity so children can imagine alternatives. When education becomes truly liberatory, it protects children's rights by helping them recognize violations, understand their dignity, and develop the confidence to advocate for themselves. Sor Juana's life demonstrates that an educated person—especially one from marginalized groups—becomes difficult to control and exploit. This threatens those who benefit from children's silence and compliance, yet it is precisely why liberatory education is essential.