CRC/C/LVA/CO/2
page 13
headed by single parents, families with three or more children and families in remote areas. The
Committee is also concerned at regional disparities between rural and urban areas, and marked
social inequalities within the population. The Committee welcomes the adoption of measures,
including financial benefits and additional care facilities, to assist families in extreme adversity
and with children at risk. The Committee is, however, particularly concerned that assistance to
families is not sufficient to prevent the circumstances related to evictions of families with
children from their places of residence by court order, which often further deteriorates the living
conditions of children and their families. The Committee also takes account of the numbers of
job-seeking adolescents, and is concerned at the difficult transition from school to the labour
market experienced, in particular, by children who drop out before graduation.
49.
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that:
(a)
Its budgetary allocations to key areas for children, particularly support for
disadvantaged families, health and education, keep pace with increases in economic
growth;
(b)
The financial support system provided to families living under difficult
economic conditions is expanded, and that day-care centres and schools assist
disadvantaged families with regard to childcare and education;
(c)
Disadvantaged families are provided with adequate and affordable housing,
and that adequate alternative housing arrangements are available in the event of their
evictions; and that
(d)
Adolescents are assisted in their efforts to find employment.
6. Education, leisure and cultural activities
(arts. 28, 29 and 31 of the Convention)
Education, including vocational training and guidance
50.
The Committee welcomes the fact that education is one of the priorities of the
National Development Plan 2007-2013 and notes with appreciation an increase in the enrolment
rates of children in education. It is, however, concerned at reported rates of non-attendance from
primary, secondary and vocational schools as a result of, inter alia, hidden costs, poverty,
inadequate transportation, closure of schools in sparsely populated areas, voluntary truancy, the
lack of parental interest in education, and bullying in school. The Committee also expresses
concern regarding unsatisfactory conditions of State boarding schools for children with special
needs or who are deprived of parental care.
51.
The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate steps to allocate
appropriate financial and human resources:
(a)
To ensure that all children from all areas of the country, without distinction,
including children in pretrial custody and detention, have equal access to quality
education, including human rights education;