CRC/C/15/Add.122 page 2 B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee expresses appreciation for the efforts made by the State party in the area of legal reform. In this regard, the Committee welcomes the new Constitution (1996), in particular article 28, which guarantees children a number of specific rights and freedoms also provided for under the Convention. Further, the Committee notes with appreciation the additional legislation enacted to bring about greater harmonization between domestic legislation and the Convention, including: the National Youth Amendment Act (1996); the Legal Aid Amendment Act (1996); the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act (1996); the Film and Publications Act (1996); the National Education Policy Act (1996); the Child Care Amendment Act (1996); the Abolition of Corporal Punishment Act (1997); the Divorce Courts Amendment Act (1997); the Establishment of Family Court Act (1997); the Maintenance Amendment Act (1997); the Natural Fathers of Children Born out of Wedlock Act (1997); and the Criminal Procedure Second Amendment Act (1997). 4. The Committee welcomes the implementation of a National Programme of Action (NPA) within the State party. In this regard, it welcomes the establishment of the National Programme of Action Steering Committee (NPASC) which is responsible for the identification of plans, the coordination and evaluation of programmes, and the periodic submission of progress reports to Cabinet on the implementation of the NPA as well as compliance obligations under the Convention. The Committee notes that the membership of the NPASC comprises representatives from various ministries and agencies involved in the promotion of the rights of children as well as representatives of civil society, including NGOs and the National Children’s Rights Committee (NCRC) and UNICEF South Africa. 5. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission and the appointment of a director with responsibility for children’s rights. 6. The Committee also welcomes the implementation of the “Human Rights Institutional Strengthening Project” with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Committee notes that the project includes provision of advisory services to finalize the human rights training package developed by the South African Police Service (SAPS); publication of a pocket guide for police on human rights standards and practice; advice and assistance to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC); advice and assistance to the Justice College of the Ministry of Justice in integrating human rights in the training curriculum for magistrates, prosecutors and other officials concerned with the administration of justice; and support to Fort Hare University in developing a series of human rights training workshops and establishing a documentation centre. 7. The Committee welcomes the State party’s efforts in establishing a Children’s Budget Project launched with the aim of developing an overall perspective on the Government’s expenditure with respect to children’s programmes and examining the impact of this expenditure on the lives of children. 8. The Committee appreciates the State party’s initiatives within the school environment. In this regard, it welcomes the enactment of the South African Schools Act (1996) which has led to enhanced participatory rights for children within the educational system; the right of children to