A/HRC/43/62
IV. Recommendations to design and implement public policy
objectives for education in, and the teaching of, minority
languages
30.
States should include an education policy and implementation plan that
safeguards the right to receive education in the mother tongue at all levels where
practicable. Such a policy should include minimum standards for the use of minority
languages in public education, and a built-in monitoring and evaluation system.
31.
States should include minority language education in the implementation
strategies of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ensuring inclusive
and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
32.
States should not interpret the requirement of practicality for the use of
minority languages in public education, such as sufficient demand with respect to
education in, and the teaching of, minority languages, in a restrictive way, but rather
apply it as a proactive approach to the needs of linguistic minorities, interpreted as
favourably as possible for the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction.
33.
When financial resources or other forms of support are provided to private
educational establishments, such funding or support must also be provided, in
accordance with the principle of non-discrimination, to private educational
establishments teaching in minority languages or to linguistic minorities.
34.
States should recognize, promote and prioritize the medium to long-term
advantages of incorporating a multilingual public policy approach for all.
35.
States should allocate the resources necessary to promote and ensure access to
education in, and the teaching of, minority languages.
36.
States should make available administrative, legal and health services in
minority languages with the aim of making them accessible for minority communities.
37.
States should encourage all linguistic communities to engage positively and
openly with other language communities in order to promote mutual respect,
tolerance and understanding, with the aim of preventing possible tensions and
conflicts.
38.
Members of linguistic majorities should also have opportunities to learn
minority languages. The benefits of multilingualism should target both minority and
majority communities, and not be restricted to learning global or so-called “prestige”
languages.
39.
States should use education in, and the teaching of, minority languages as a tool
for creating social inclusion and equality for all, and combat any perception that they
are a threat to social cohesion and the unity of the State.
40.
The importance of civil society in ensuring progress towards revitalizing and
normalizing minority languages should be recognized, and States should
institutionalize and financially support good practices in minority language education
developed by civil society organizations.
V. Recommendations to promote effective practices for
education in, and the teaching of, minority languages
41.
States should undertake steps to provide appropriate and proportionate
resources and support in order to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education in
schools teaching in minority languages. They should introduce measures to guarantee
such financing for sustainable implementation of minority language education
programmes, including funding for minority language textbooks and schools using
minority languages.
42.
States should put in place legislative and administrative measures to support
education in minority languages that is pedagogically effective and takes into account
the competencies of minority students.
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