CRC/C/KIR/CO/1
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(d) Youth unemployment is prevented by assisting adolescents who seek an
occupation.
7. Education, leisure and cultural activities
(arts. 28, 29 and 31 of the Convention)
Education, including vocational training and guidance
56. The Committee welcomes the reported increased access to primary and secondary
education and the consequential increase in enrolment rates, as well as the reduction of the
gender gap. However, the Committee is concerned that the quality of education available to
students is decreasing, the access to adequate educational facilities for children in remote
areas remains limited, the cost of education is often prohibitive, and the absence of training
required for teachers is leading to low-quality teaching and to disparities in pre-school
education. The insufficient bilingual education in English and I-Kiribati is also a cause of
concern as it negatively impacts access to higher education, which is only available in
English in neighbouring countries. The Committee regrets that aside from informal
vocational training provided by national NGOs, there are no vocational or educational
opportunities within or outside the formal school system.
57.
The Committee recommends that the State party take measures, inter alia, by:
(a)
Increasing budgetary allocation to ensure access to free primary and
quality education in all regions and to improve the physical infrastructure of
educational facilities;
(b)
Strengthening its efforts to bridge the gaps in the availability of education
throughout the country, including the availability of school materials;
(c)
Strengthening vocational programmes for children, including those who
do not attend regular school;
(d)
(e)
learning.
Improving the training and recruitment of teachers; and
Facilitating the use of new technology, including e-learning and blended
8. Special protection measures
(arts. 22, 30, 38, 39, 40, 37 b-d, 32-36)
Economic exploitation, including child labour
58. The Committee notes with concern that despite the legislation setting at 14 years the
minimum age for admission to work , many children under the age of 14 work, primarily in
the informal sector of the economy, either full-time, or outside school hours.
59. The Committee urges the State to strengthen measures to combat child labour. It
recommends that the State party take steps to prevent child labour, including by: