CRC/C/15/Add.227
page 10
Adolescent health
49.
The Committee is concerned at the lack of sufficient mental health services for
adolescents in the State party, and the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse. It is also concerned
that teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in the Netherlands,
and that in Aruba there are limited services for teenage mothers, who are sometimes excluded
from schools.
50.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Take all necessary financial and administrative measures to ensure adequate
availability of mental health services for adolescents;
(b)
Take all necessary measures to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, including
education campaigns, and ensure that there are sufficient rehabilitation services
specifically for children and adolescents;
(c)
Strengthen programmes on sex education, including in schools, and
reproductive health counselling for adolescents and take effective measures to prevent
early pregnancy;
(d)
Provide teenage mothers in Aruba with the appropriate assistance and
ensure that they can finish their education.
6. Education, leisure and cultural activities
51.
The Committee notes the information provided by the delegation that efforts will be
strengthened in the Netherlands and Aruba to prevent and assist school dropouts and the
intention to expand bilingual education (Papiemento and Dutch) to secondary schools in Aruba.
However, the Committee is concerned that primary education is not compulsory in Aruba and
that early childhood education is not universally available throughout the State party.
52.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Expedite efforts to address non-attendance and the dropping out of school;
(b)
Ensure that affordable and quality early childhood education is available for
all children;
(c)
In Aruba, expedite the adoption of the National Ordinance on Compulsory
Education and ensure that it is enforced, including for children of undocumented migrants;
(d)
In Aruba, ensure that sufficient teaching materials are available in
Papiemento for primary and secondary students;
(e)
and Aruba.
Include human rights education in the curriculum in both the Netherlands