CRC/C/CRI/CO/4
G.
Education, leisure and cultural activities (arts. 28, 29 and 31 of the
Convention)
Education, including vocational training and guidance
67.
The Committee welcomes that article 78 of the Political Constitution increases the
budget for education to 8 per cent of the State party’s gross domestic product and takes note
of the efforts made by the State party to provide financial subsidies, transportation and
school meals to promote school attendance by children from poor families, facilitate the
transition from primary to secondary school, and reduce the dropout rate at the secondary
level. However, it remains concerned about the inadequate quality of education, low school
attendance and completion rates, in particular among indigenous and migrant children,
especially at the secondary level, and the poor school infrastructure in rural areas.
68.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Undertake studies and develop effective programmes to improve the
quality of education and reduce school drop out, especially at the secondary level, and
monitor the impact of such programmes;
(b)
Implement the directives regarding curricular adaptation at the primary
and secondary levels to prevent that students drop out from or are left behind at
school;
(c)
Consider increasing investment in teacher training and in the
maintenance and renovation of the educational infrastructure, in particular in rural
and coastal areas, to ensure that adequate facilities are available for quality
education;
(d)
Promote more effective educational programmes to address low school
attendance by indigenous and migrant children; and
(e)
Take into account the Committee’s general comment No. 1 (2001) on the
aims of education.
69.
The Committee notes with concern that native language and intercultural education
for indigenous children is scarcely offered in primary schools and only in the indigenous
territories, that the number of lessons is insufficient, and that there are no education
materials in indigenous languages.
70.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Reinforce bilingual and intercultural education models for indigenous
children by, among others, increasing the number of school teachers in the indigenous
territories;
(b)
Expand the coverage and number of lessons on indigenous language and
culture, including at the preschool and secondary levels;
(c)
Develop specific training programmes and improve the conditions for
teachers of such classes in and outside the sub-systems for indigenous education, in
cooperation with public universities and in accordance with the specific cultural needs
of indigenous children;
(d)
Make available textbooks and child-friendly education materials in
indigenous languages; and
(e)
Include education on indigenous cultures in the national school
curriculum, with a view to promoting respect for diversity and eliminating prejudice
against indigenous children.
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