A/HRC/19/60/Add.1 in the public school system – non-bureaucratic opt-out possibilities must be provided to ensure that no one receives such instruction against their will or, in the case of minors, against the will of their parents or guardians. 39. In Paraguay, besides public schools, a great variety of private schools exists, including many denominational schools, such as Catholic and Protestant schools, as well as a few Islamic schools. Private schools can accommodate more specific educational interests or needs of parents and children, including in matters of religion or belief. Private schools that have a specific denominational profile can thus be particularly attractive to adherents of the respective denomination, but potentially also for parents or children with other religions or beliefs. Indeed, many private schools in Paraguay apparently enjoy a good reputation as “quality schools”. Moreover, according to information received from the Ministry of Education and Culture, quite a number of denominational schools show an admirable commitment to take care of the needs of poor families and their children. 40. Problems may, however, arise when private schools with a specific religious orientation have a de facto monopoly in a particular locality or region. In such situations, some parents and pupils might have no option but to avoid school education based on a denomination different from their own religious or philosophical convictions. This, however, would amount to an infringement of their freedom of religion or belief. 41. When visiting Filadelfia, in the Chaco region, the Special Rapporteur actually learned that the vast majority of schools in that district were run by the Mennonites, who generally place great importance on biblical teachings as part of their school education. In other regions, Catholic schools may be predominant to a degree bordering on a de facto monopoly. In such situations, it is up to the State, as guarantor of human rights, to ensure that the freedom of religion or belief of everyone is effectively respected in the private school sector; this includes the right of pupils not to be exposed to religious instruction against their will, as well as the right of parents or legal guardians to ensure a religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions. Again, the Special Rapporteur did not receive information about any concrete complaints in this regard. Nonetheless, he would like to encourage the Government to pay systematic attention to situations of particular vulnerability, which can develop through regional de facto monopolies of denominational schools, and to establish appropriate safeguards. 42. In discussions about school education, the Special Rapporteur was repeatedly witness to highly emotional exchanges over the Pedagogical Regulating Framework (see paragraph 22 above) initiated by the Government with the purpose of providing, as part of the mandatory school curriculum, information on sexual and reproductive health. Whereas interlocutors from specific Government sectors, civil society organizations, women’s organizations and representatives of sexual minorities strongly supported the initiative, some vocal members of Christian churches and other religious groups mostly expressed reservations or even harsh opposition. Advocates of the Framework put the initiative into the context of the ongoing fight against gender-based discrimination. Opponents in turn saw it in sharp contradiction to their own religious or moral convictions, and felt that their concerns had not been taken seriously. This bitter controversy led not only to a blockage within Parliament and to divisions in society at large, but also had a negative impact on school life. According to allegations received from civil society, certain religious organizations directly targeted young-age school children in the context of public campaigns by urging them to sign petitions against the Framework. The Special Rapporteur also received credible information about acts of intimidation and harassment by the part of religious groups opposing the Framework, which, in some instances, have been close to physical violence and led to the cancellation of public information meetings about the initiative. 12