A/HRC/12/33
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57. The Expert Mechanism urges States to adopt a policy framework for quality education for
indigenous peoples, set clear goals, targets and priorities, and develop indicators to measure
achievements, together with indigenous peoples,13 that could include greater participation,
improved literacy skills, lower truancy rates and the gaining of meaningful qualifications.14
B. Financial and infrastructure support
58. To make policies and laws on the right of indigenous peoples to education effective and
implementable, the provision of resources and the attaching of a high priority to the education of
indigenous peoples are of utmost importance. Currently, funding allocations by Governments,
international non-governmental organizations or United Nations agencies are mainly used to
build infrastructure and to provide human resources.
59. The improvement of infrastructure, particularly of education centres in remote villages, is
necessary to allow indigenous children equal access and opportunities to obtain quality
education. Home schooling, a remote learning model, provides an opportunity for children in
remote villages to receive an education without having to attend boarding schools.15 Funding
priorities should include providing quality education to nomadic communities and indigenous
peoples in remote areas and to women and girls through mobile school and scholarships.16
60. Allocating targeted financial resources for the development of materials, testing proposed
culturally appropriate curricula, teaching indigenous languages, providing support for training
and incentives for teachers in rural schools and developing education programmes in cooperation
with indigenous peoples are also effective initiatives. An equally important consideration for
communities located in isolated and sparsely populated areas is that the allocation of funding for
infrastructure should not be made based on a school-to-population ratio.
61. Financial support by non-governmental organizations and international donors for
indigenous ways of learning, particularly the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and skills
on farming, handicrafts, the making of implements, health care and the establishment of
indigenous vocational centres contribute to the maintenance of traditional occupations and
economically sustained communities. State recognition and support would thus enhance and
promote vibrant communities. One example of a government-supported indigenous institution is
the Sámi University College.17
13
In British Columbia, Canada, enhancement agreements between indigenous communities and
school districts involve shared decision-making and specific mutually agreed goal-setting to
meet the needs of indigenous students.
14
“Ka Hikitia - managing for success: the Māori education strategy 2008-2012”, submission by
the Government of New Zealand.
15
See www.bangkokpost.com/education/site2007/cvjl3107.htm.
16
CERD/C/NAM/CO/12.
17
Submission by Gáldu Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Norway).