CRC/C/15/Add.93
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poverty alleviation programmes with special emphasis on the access to health
care and education of children, in particular the most vulnerable groups of
children.
26.
Although the Committee is aware of the State party's achievements in the
field of education, it remains concerned at the high drop-out rate between
primary and secondary school and the high repetition rate at both levels, at
the gender disparities in secondary school enrolment and at disparities in
access to education between rural and urban areas. It recommends that the
State party strengthen its educational policies and system in order to reduce
gender and geographical disparities and to establish retention programmes and
vocational training for drop-out students.
27.
Though the Committee is aware that the reform of the primary education
curricula has included measures to fulfil the rights of the child to leisure
and recreational and cultural activities, it remains concerned about the
insufficiency of these measures, in particular for children living in
urban-poor and rural areas. In the light of article 31 of the Convention, the
Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its measures to improve
children's access to leisure and to recreational and cultural activities,
especially for the most vulnerable groups of children.
28.
While the Committee acknowledges the State party's policies for the
protection of refugees, it remains concerned at the lack of specific
provisions in its domestic legislation concerning the rights of asylum seeking
and refugee children and the right to family reunification. In the light of
article 22 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party
undertake appropriate measures to adopt legislation to protect all the rights
of asylum seeking and refugee children. Technical assistance from the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could be
requested in this regard.
29.
The Committee is concerned at the insufficient measures addressing the
issues of child labour and economic exploitation, including domestic labour
and sexual exploitation of children. In this regard, the lack of data and
research is also a matter of concern to the Committee. The Committee is
further concerned at the increasing number of children living and/or working
on the streets, who require special attention because of the risks they are
exposed to. The Committee recommends that the State party give specific
attention to undertaking research on and monitoring the situation of children
living and/or working on the streets and those involved in hazardous labour,
including domestic service and prostitution. The Committee also recommends
that the State party develop national policies on the prevention and the
elimination of the most hazardous forms of child labour. The Committee
suggests that the State party consider seeking technical assistance from ILO
in this area. In addition, the Committee encourages the State party to
consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 concerning minimum age for admission
to employment.
30.
While the Committee takes note of the State party's efforts to combat
the trafficking and sale of children, it remains concerned about the lack of
preventive measures in this area. Concerning the trafficking of boys and
girls into neighbouring countries for work, including prostitution,
the Committee recommends that measures be taken on an urgent basis, such as a
comprehensive programme of prevention, including an awareness-raising campaign