CRC/C/15/Add.124
page 11
7. Education, leisure and cultural activities
Right to and aims of education
52.
While the Committee notes that the Constitution provides for the right to education and
that the 1997 Education Act was adopted with a view to improving the situation of education in
the State party, it remains concerned at the situation of education, particularly of children in
conflict zones and the mountainous regions. In this connection, the Committee expresses
concern at the impact of the economic situation on the educational system as well as the decline
in enrolment and attendance rates, particularly at the secondary level; the poor infrastructure,
including inadequate heating, classrooms and other facilities for instruction; the limited
availability of learning materials; insufficient resources, both human and financial; and
inadequate instruction in local languages. The Committee also notes with concern that the
current economic conditions in the State party and the increasing cost of childcare services have
led to a significant decline in the enrolment of children in pre-school.
53.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures,
including the allocation of adequate financial, human and technical resources, to improve
the situation of education and ensure that all children enjoy the right to education. The
Committee further recommends that the State party seek to implement additional
measures to encourage children to stay in school, particularly during the period of
compulsory education, and to facilitate pre-school education. The Committee encourages
the State party to take all appropriate measures to improve the quality of teaching, to
develop child-friendly schools, and to facilitate the introduction of traditional languages
into the school curricula. It is recommended that the State party seek to strengthen its
educational system through closer cooperation with UNICEF and UNESCO.
8. Special protection measures
Refugee, asylum-seeking and internally displaced children
54.
The Committee notes that despite limited resources, Georgia has received
some 5,000 Chechnyans, mainly women, children and elderly people. The Committee notes that
the State party has enacted the Refugees Act; however, it is concerned that insufficient efforts
have been made to establish a special refugee status determination procedure for unaccompanied
minors. Concern is also expressed at the absence of specific regulations regarding family
reunification.
55.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to
protect the rights of refugee, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children and facilitate
their access to adequate housing, education, health and other social services. In this
regard, the State party should consider the adoption of legislation on asylum-seekers.
Additionally, it is recommended that the State party take measures to facilitate family
reunification and to establish an efficient refugee status determination procedure for
unaccompanied minors. The Committee further recommends that the State party
undertake a study on refugee, asylum-seeking and unaccompanied children to ascertain the