III. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•          Ecuador, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 22 at para. 60.

60. With regard to the important problem of illiteracy among indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian people, the Committee recommends that the State party take measures to increase the number of bilingual teaching personnel, in particular from among these communities...

•          Brazil, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 14 at para. 65.

65. The Committee reiterates the concern expressed in its previous concluding observations over the fact that illiterate citizens, who are found especially among the indigenous, black or mestizo groups, do not have the right to be elected to public office.

In light of article 5 (c) of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party adopt adequate measures to combat illiteracy and allow all citizens the enjoyment of all political rights, in particular the right to be elected to public office.

ICCPR

•          Egypt, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 31 at para. 77(7).

(7) While welcoming the steps taken by the authorities in recent years to encourage participation by women in public life (in the diplomatic service, for example), the Committee notes that women are underrepresented in most areas of the public sector (for instance, the magistrature) and in the private sector (articles 3 and 26 of the Covenant).

The State party is encouraged to step up its efforts to secure greater participation by women at all levels of society and the State, including decision-making positions, inter alia by ensuring that women in rural areas learn to read and write.

•          Morocco, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2004) 35 at para. 84(26).

(26) While welcoming the progress made in the area of education, the Committee remains concerned about the continuing high number of illiterates, particularly among women.

The State party should continue with the action undertaken to remedy this situation (Covenant, art. 26).

•          Yemen, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 65 at para. 91(8).

(8) The Committee welcomes the adoption of various measures for the advancement of women, as well as the recognition by the State party that stereotypical views of women’s and men’s social roles and responsibilities have had a negative impact on some aspects of Yemeni legislation. It notes with concern the high rate of illiteracy among women, which clearly hinders the enjoyment of their civil and political rights (arts. 3 and 26).

The State party should increase its efforts to change stereotypical attitudes detrimental to women’s rights, and to promote the literacy and education of girls and women.

ICESCR

•          Colombia, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 110 at para. 777.

777. The Committee is concerned about the poor quality of education at all levels. It is also concerned that the State party has one of the lowest adult literacy rates in the region.

•          Jamaica, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 130 at para. 942.

942. The Committee expresses particular concern about the inadequate level of State expenditure on education, accompanied by a decline in the quality of education. It is reported that recent statistics from the State party show that 40 per cent of children who complete primary education can neither read nor write.

•          Benin, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 34 at paras. 179 and 198.

179. The Committee is concerned at the persistently high illiteracy rate in the State party, which is higher among women than men. It also notes with concern the cultural preference given in educational matters to male children, as can be seen in the markedly higher primary school enrolment rates for boys than for girls.

...

198. The Committee recommends the State party to step up efforts to provide girls and boys with equal access to education. It urges the State party to take effective measures to improve the literacy rate, particularly of women.

•          Solomon Islands, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 65 at paras. 464 and 478.

464. While noting the considerable efforts made by the State party to reduce illiteracy, the Committee remains concerned that illiteracy, especially among women, poses a grave problem.

...

478. The Committee...recommends that the State party increase its efforts to reduce the high rate of illiteracy, especially among women.

            •          Brazil, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 28 at paras. 146 and 170.

146. The Committee is concerned about the high rate of illiteracy in Brazil that, according to the State party’s report, was 13.3 per cent in 1999, reflecting the social and economic inequalities still prevalent in the country.

...

170. The Committee requests the State party to adopt effective measures to combat illiteracy...

•          Yemen, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 55 at paras. 368 and 387.

368. The Committee remains concerned that the high level of illiteracy, especially among women in rural areas amounting to over 70 per cent, poses a major problem and has a deep impact on the enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights.

...

387. The Committee requests the State party to adopt effective measures to combat illiteracy...

•          Ecuador, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 39 at paras. 281, 297, 304 and 323.

281. The Committee expresses its concern about the de facto inequality that exists between men and women in Ecuadorian society despite legislative guarantees of equality, owing to the perpetuation of traditional stereotypes and the lack of implementation of legislative guarantees of equality. Such inequality is reflected in unequal wages for equal work, the high percentage of illiteracy amongst women particularly in rural areas, the low level of representation of women in public service and administration, and limited access to credit, professional work and skilled trades...

...

297. The Committee is concerned about the high rate of illiteracy and school dropouts in the State party. The Committee is particularly concerned in this regard about the situation of young girls and of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian children.

...

304. The Committee urges the State party to adopt all effective measures to ensure equality between men and women in all fields of life as provided for in article 2, paragraph 2 and article 3 of the Covenant...

...

323. The Committee urges the State party to take all possible measures to combat illiteracy, particularly amongst the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups...

CEDAW

•          Sri Lanka, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 31 at para. 271.

271. The Committee commends the educational achievements and improved literacy rate of women, as well as the curriculum reforms and teacher training programmes to eliminate gender role stereotypes...

•          Portugal, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 35 at paras. 339 and 340.

339. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of the level of illiteracy, and that older women constitute a disproportionate number of illiterates.

340. The Committee encourages the State party to develop programmes specially designed to reduce female illiteracy.

•          Tunisia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 102 at paras. 202 and 203.

202. While noting the reduction in the general illiteracy rate of women, the Committee is concerned that the rate is still high among certain groups of women, particularly rural women and older women.

203. The Committee encourages the State party to further implement programmes specifically designed to reduce female illiteracy, particularly among rural and older women.

•          Zambia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 107 at paras. 246 and 247.

246. Despite the State party’s effort in the area of education, the Committee is concerned at the low rate of female literacy, the low enrolment of girls in school in rural and urban areas and the high dropout rate of girls due to pregnancies. These negative factors are reinforced by stereotyping in textbooks. It notes that education is a key to the advancement of women and that the low level of education of women and girls remains one of the most serious impediments to their full enjoyment of human rights.

247. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to improve the literacy level of girls and women in rural and urban areas, to ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education and to prevent girls dropping out of school. It encourages the State party to introduce further special measures in the area of education, including incentives for parents to send girls to school and to encourage the recruitment of more qualified women teachers.

•          Guatemala, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 171 at paras. 198 and 199.

198. The Committee notes with concern the persistence of illiteracy among certain groups of women in Guatemala, particularly among the indigenous population.

199. The Committee calls on the State party to enhance its efforts to combat illiteracy, especially in the rural areas and among indigenous people, and to develop more programmes to address illiteracy among adult women.

•          Barbados, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 177 at para. 222.

222. The Committee...notes with satisfaction the female literacy rate of approximately 97 per cent.

•          Greece, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 184 at para. 271.

271. The Committee...particularly commends the State party for its successful policies in reducing the illiteracy rate generally and among women in particular.

•          Yemen, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 200 at paras. 386 and 387.

386. While acknowledging the statement made by the State party that education is a cornerstone for development and a key element in the improvement of the status of women and the achievement of equality between women and men, the Committee notes with concern the high levels of illiteracy among women and girls, particularly in rural areas, and the high rate at which girls drop out of school.

387. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen its efforts to eradicate female illiteracy, especially among girls, particularly in rural areas, and to take general as well as temporary special measures to ensure primary and secondary education for girls and lower the high dropout rate among girls...

•          Peru, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 212 at paras. 490 and 491.

490. Despite the reduction in the general illiteracy rate, the Committee expresses its concern at the high rate of illiteracy in the female population, especially in rural areas...

491. The Committee requests the State party to set up programmes specially designed to reduce female illiteracy, in particular among women and girls in rural areas, and to keep girls in school.

•          Congo, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 29 at paras. 170 and 171.

170. The Committee is concerned at the low rate of female literacy, the low number of girls who complete primary education in both the urban and rural areas, and the high drop-out rate of girls due to, inter alia, pregnancies and early marriage.

171. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to improve the literacy level of girls and women to ensure equal access of girls and women to all levels of education and to take all appropriate measures to prevent girls from dropping out of school. The Committee further urges the State party to encourage an increase in the enrolment of girls at all levels and recommends that such efforts include further use of temporary special measures, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

•          El Salvador, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 41 at paras. 263 and 264.

263. Although the overall illiteracy rate has declined, the Committee is concerned that the

problem persists, especially in rural areas. It is also concerned at the high drop-out rates among girls, especially in rural and indigenous areas.

264. The Committee recommends that efforts to address this problem should be intensified, through sustainable plans and programmes, particularly in rural and indigenous areas.

•          Brazil, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 93 at paras. 122 and 123.

122. Although women’s access to education has improved, the Committee is concerned at the high rate of illiteracy and the low percentage of women having education beyond primary school...

123. The Committee recommends that pro-active measures for women’s access to all levels of education and teaching be strengthened, particularly for marginalized groups of women...

•          Morocco, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 101 at paras. 170 and 171.

170. While noting the efforts made by the State party to set concrete targets and develop a national strategy on education, the Committee notes with concern the continuing high levels of illiteracy of women and girls, in particular in rural areas.

171. The Committee calls upon the State party to develop gender-sensitive measures to eradicate female illiteracy, in particular in rural areas, and to strengthen measures to create an environment that increases the enrolment and retention rates of girls in schools at all levels, through increased training and employment of teachers, the development of gender-sensitive educational materials and the monitoring and evaluation of progress achieved towards time-bound targets.

•          Ecuador, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 122 at paras. 319 and 320.

319. The Committee is concerned at the persistent problem of illiteracy, especially in rural areas, and the high rate of school dropouts among the female population, in particular in rural and indigenous areas.

320. The Committee recommends that efforts to address this problem should be stepped up, through the sustained implementation of programmes and plans, especially in rural and indigenous areas.

•          Bhutan, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 21 at paras. 117 and 118.

117. Noting that the overwhelming majority of women live in rural areas, the Committee is concerned about their situation, in particular with regard to their access to education and vocational training. It is particularly concerned about the continuing high rates of illiteracy among rural women, and about their limited representation in rural leadership positions and limited participation in agricultural and animal husbandry training programmes.

118. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the rights, needs and concerns of rural women are given greater attention and visibility, and that rural women participate fully in the formulation and implementation of all sectoral policies and programmes. It also recommends that the State party ensure that rural women and girls have full access to education and vocational training in the areas where they live.

•          Nepal, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 34 at paras. 204, 205, 212 and 213.

204. While recognizing that education is a national priority of the State party and that substantial progress has been made, including a decline in the overall illiteracy rate, the Committee is concerned about the continuing significant gap between the literacy rates of women and men. It is concerned about the low female enrolment in primary and secondary schools, high dropout rates and the very limited access for women to tertiary education. The Committee is also concerned that educational opportunities are fewer for women in rural areas and for women of different castes and ethnic groups.

205. The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to address the literacy gap between men and women so that the goals established in the National Plan on Education in regard to equality in education can be achieved, particularly in rural areas and among disadvantaged castes and ethnic groups. The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to ensure equal access of girls and women to all levels of education and to take all appropriate measures to prevent girls from dropping out of school. The Committee calls on the State party to allocate more financial and human resources to the education sector, to recruit more women teachers and to ensure that school textbooks do not carry stereotyped images of women.

...

212. The Committee is concerned at the status of women’s health, particularly rural women. The Committee is concerned that women have a lower life expectancy than men and that there are high maternal and infant mortality rates. It is also concerned that women’s health is adversely affected by factors such as early marriage and early pregnancy, inadequate family planning services and illiteracy, which is an obstacle to obtaining and effectively using health-related information. It is further concerned at the lack of research on women’s health and data disaggregated by sex.

213. The Committee recommends that the State party take further measures to improve the access of women, particularly rural women, to health-related services and information, including in regard to sexual and reproductive health, in an effort to reduce maternal mortality.

•          Ethiopia, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 42 at paras. 249 and 250.

249. The Committee, while welcoming the State party’s efforts in the area of education, is concerned at the low rate of female literacy, the continuing gap between boys and girls in the school enrolment rate and at the high drop-out and repetition rates among girls.

250. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to improve the literacy rate of girls and women in rural and urban areas, to ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education and to take measures to reduce and eliminate the high drop-out and repetition rates of girls. It encourages the State party to introduce temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and general recommendation 25 at primary and secondary levels of education, including incentives for parents to send girls to school. It also recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that rural women and girls have full access to education and vocational training.

•          Nigeria, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 49 at paras. 303 and 304.

303. The Committee expresses concern at the low enrolment rates and educational achievement of girls and women, the continuing high rates of illiteracy of women and girls, in particular in rural areas, and the decline in the quality of education.

304. The Committee urges the State party to ensure full implementation of its Universal Basic Education Policy, launched in 1999, and the educational objectives contained in the National Policy on Women, including with the support of the international community. It calls on the State party to further prioritize action in the field of girls’ and women’s education and to raise awareness about the importance of education as a fundamental human right and the basis for the empowerment of women. It urges that targeted measures with a concrete time frame be taken, in accordance with general recommendation 25, to increase the literacy level of girls and women, in particular in rural areas, to ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education, to prevent girls from dropping out of school, in particular because of early pregnancy, and to overcome traditional attitudes that constitute obstacles to girls’ education...

•          Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 118 at paras. 158 and 159.

158. The Committee is concerned at the poor educational infrastructure, as reflected in the very low budgetary allocation; the lack of, or insufficient number of, schools and teachers; and the poor quality of education. The Committee is concerned that these shortcomings result in a high rate of illiteracy among girls and women, their low enrolment rates in primary, secondary, vocational and higher education, in both urban and rural areas, and in their high drop out rates. The Committee notes that education is a key to the advancement of women and that the low level of education of women and girls remains one of the most serious impediments to their full enjoyment of human rights and the achievement of women’s empowerment.

159. The Committee urges the State party to increase its investment in education as a fundamental human right and as a basis for the empowerment of women. It recommends that the State party continue and further prioritize efforts to: improve the literacy level of girls and women; ensure equal access of girls and women to all levels of education in both urban and rural areas; increase the enrolment rates for girls; and take measures to retain girls in school, including through temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and its general recommendation 25, so as to implement article 10 of the Convention.

•          Equatorial Guinea, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 126 at paras. 193 and 194.

193. The Committee is concerned at the low rate of female literacy, the low rate of enrolment of girls in schools and the high dropout rate of girls due to pregnancy, early marriages and the low priority given to girls’ education by families. The Committee notes that education is a key to the advancement of women and that the low level of education of women and girls remains one of the most serious impediments to their full enjoyment of human rights.

194. The Committee urges the State party to raise awareness of the importance of education as a fundamental human right and as a basis for the empowerment of women and to take steps to overcome traditional attitudes that constitute obstacles to girls’ education. It also recommends that the State party prioritize efforts to improve the literacy level of girls and women, ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education, retain girls in school and strengthen the implementation of re-entry policies providing for girls to return to school after pregnancy...

•          Bangladesh, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 134 at para. 233.

233. The Committee...appreciates the successful efforts to increase girls’ and women’s literacy rates.

•          Samoa, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 9 at para. 43.

43. The Committee commends the State party...for the very high rate of female literacy.

•          Lao People’s Democratic Republic, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 16 at paras. 94 and 95.

94. Despite some progress, the Committee is alarmed at the still very high illiteracy rate of women, 40 per cent, and the large discrepancy between male and female literacy rates and between urban and rural women’s education. The Committee is especially concerned at the extremely low literacy rate among ethnic minority women. The Committee is concerned that the initial plan to make primary education compulsory was postponed from 2000 to 2010.

95. The Committee urges that the State party immediately take all appropriate measures, including temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25 on temporary special measures, to reduce the illiteracy rate of women and to provide education, both formal and informal, to women, including ethnic minority women, especially in rural areas. The Committee also recommends that free and compulsory primary education at the national level be implemented as soon as possible. It further recommends that the State party consider seeking international assistance for these purposes.

•          Paraguay, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 44 at paras. 291 and 292.

291. The Committee is concerned about the poor conditions of indigenous women, including monolingual Guaraní women, reflected in their high illiteracy rates, which surpass the national average, low school enrolment rates, poor access to health care and significant levels of poverty, which lead them to migrate to urban centres where they are even more vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination.

292. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that all policies and programmes explicitly address the high illiteracy rates and the needs of indigenous women, including monolingual Guaraní women, and to actively seek their participation in the formulation and implementation of sectoral policies and programmes. It recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to implement bilingual educational programmes at all levels of education and to ensure indigenous women’s access to education and health care. The Committee also encourages the State party to adopt temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25 on temporary special measures, to accelerate such access for indigenous women...

•          Turkey, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 58 at paras. 371 and 372.

371. The Committee is concerned at the high rate of female illiteracy and the lower enrolment and completion rates of girls and women at all levels of education, and that these discrepancies are further aggravated by urban-rural, regional and ethnic differences...

372. The Committee recommends that the State party take proactive measures to decrease the high rate of female illiteracy and to strengthen girls’ and women’s access to all levels of education and teaching and to actively encourage diversification of educational and professional choices for women and men. The Committee recommends that such measures include the use of temporary special measures, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25...

•          Lebanon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 109 at paras. 117 and 118.

117. While noting the reduction in the general illiteracy rate of women, the Committee is concerned that the illiteracy rate remains high among rural women. The Committee is also concerned about the insufficient legislative protection of the status of rural women.

118. The Committee encourages the State party to implement further programmes specifically designed to reduce illiteracy rates among rural women and to introduce new laws relating to this group of women, so as to ensure the full implementation of article 14 of the Convention.

•          Benin, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 116 at paras. 155 and 156.

155. ...The Committee is especially concerned about the extremely high rate of illiteracy among women and girls, 81 per cent for women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49.

156. ...The Committee recommends that the State party make every effort to improve the literacy level of girls and women through the adoption of comprehensive programmes, in collaboration with civil society, at the formal and non-formal levels and through adult education and training...

See also:

•          Gambia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 122 at paras. 207 and 208.

CRC

•          Mozambique, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 65 at paras. 270 and 271.

270. While noting recent efforts, including the translation of certain articles of the Convention into some local languages, the Committee is concerned that the provisions of the Convention are insufficiently known and understood in the State party.

271. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue efforts to translate the whole of the Convention into the most widely spoken national languages and that these translations be used for, inter alia, radio and theatre presentations accessible to persons who are illiterate;

...

(c) Adopt measures to ensure that such an information campaign reaches, inter alia, rural communities and illiterate persons.

•          Tunisia, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 68 at paras. 295 and 296.

295. ...The Committee is...concerned at regional disparities in education as well as at the disparity in the illiteracy rate between urban and rural areas as well as gender disparities...

296. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Seek to implement additional measures to promote early childhood education and to encourage children to stay in school, and adopt effective measures to reduce illiteracy rates;

...

•          The Netherlands (Antilles), CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 129 at paras. 575 and 576.

575. The Committee welcomes and is encouraged by the introduction of the Foundation Based Education in August 2002, which includes in its curriculum subjects such as Human Rights, Healthy Lifestyles, Reproductive Health and Social Development, and which provides a more participatory approach for children within school life. The Committee remains concerned, however, at:

...

(d) High illiteracy rates for boys and girls;

...

576. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Take effective measures through, inter alia, non-formal measures to address the high illiteracy rates;

...

•          Burkina Faso, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 103 at para. 477.

477. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of the 1996 Education Act, the increase in budget allocations for education, the adoption of the 10-year Development Plan for Basic Education (2001-2010), the focus put on education in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and the creation of “satellite schools”, but remains deeply concerned at the high illiteracy rate in the State party, which affects more women than men...

•          Eritrea, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 8 at para. 27.

27. The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s successful efforts, following its independence in 1993:

...

(b) To increase enrolment and literacy rates, and the introduction of the mother tongue as a language of instruction in primary schools;

...

•          Zambia, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 32 at para. 192.

192. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make widely known the provisions of domestic legislation concerning maintenance allowance, especially among mothers who are illiterate, and support them, if necessary, in understanding legal actions;

...

•          Jamaica, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 86 at paras. 442 and 443.

442. The Committee welcomes the State party’s progress in the field of education, but remains concerned about:

...

(d) The high illiteracy rates and the poor results in regional examinations, as well as low attendance, high dropout and high repetition rates;

...

443. The Committee recommends that the State party, in the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 1 on article 29 (1) of the Convention (aims of education):

...

(d) Take additional steps, including non-formal measures, to address the high illiteracy rates and the poor results in national examinations; take measures to increase school attendance and reduce the high dropout and repetition rates; and give appropriate assistance to adolescents who are in the process of transition from school to work;

...

•          Morocco, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 100 at paras. 508 and 509.

508. The Committee...welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State party...through the Five-Year Development Plan, as well as through the National Programme for Education and Human Rights launched in 1994, and the programme of cooperation with UNICEF to increase the school enrolment of girls (1997-2001), but remains concerned at the high illiteracy rate, notably among women. In addition, the Committee is concerned at the high dropout and repetition rates, gender and regional disparities in the education system, the cost of primary education (supplies, textbooks, etc.) and the decreasing enrolment in early childhood education...

509. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Progressively ensure that girls and boys, from urban, rural and least developed areas, all have equal access to educational opportunities, without any financial obstacles;

...

(d) Seek to implement additional measures to promote early childhood education and to encourage children to stay in school, and adopt effective measures to reduce illiteracy rates;

(e) Continue cooperation with UNESCO and UNICEF in improving the education sector.

•          Indonesia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 8 at para. 83.

83. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Adopt effective measures to decrease the dropout, repeat and illiteracy rates;

...

•          India, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 75 at paras. 442 and 443.

442. ...The Committee is...concerned at the high, although decreasing, level of illiteracy and the striking disparities in terms of access to education, attendance at primary and secondary school and dropout rates between boys and girls. The Committee is also concerned that striking disparities regarding these rates also exist between different states, between rural and urban areas, and between the affluent and the poor and disadvantaged groups...

443. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen its efforts to progressively ensure that that all girls and boys, in urban, rural and least developed areas and children belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes, have equal access to educational opportunities;

...

(e) Take the necessary measures to improve the quality of education and to ensure better efficiency in the management of education, including by decreasing the dropout rate;

...

•          Papua New Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 94 at paras. 516 and 517.

516. The Committee is encouraged by the State party’s efforts to reform its national education system and to address the key issues of participation and quality of education. It notes that a community-based education would attract children from school-distant groups into educational institution settings. However, it is concerned that enrolment, literacy and retention rates are still low, particularly in primary education, and that there is a significant disparity between the number of boys and girls in school...

517. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to strengthen its efforts to complete the reform of its national education system and in particular to strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment and retention rates in primary and basic education, in particular for girls...

•          Sao Tome and Principe, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 54 at paras. 290 and 291.

290. ...[T]he Committee is very concerned that:

...

(b) The illiteracy, drop-out and repeaters rates, particularly of girls, are high;

...

291. In the light of articles 28 and 29 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Progressively ensure that girls and boys, from urban, rural and least developed areas have equal access to educational opportunities, without any financial obstacles;

...

(e) Adopt effective measures to urgently decrease the drop-out rate and to reduce repeaters and illiteracy rates;

...

•          Equatorial Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 64 at paras. 365 and 366.

365. The Committee notes the adoption of the Education Law (1995) and welcomes the establishment of the National University of Equatorial Guinea (1995) and the State party’s efforts to increase enrolment rates in primary education, e.g. through the National Plan on Education for All. However, it is concerned that enrolment and literacy levels are still low, particularly in secondary and pre-primary education, and that there is a significant disparity between the number of boys and girls attending school...

366. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue its efforts to reform the educational system, e.g. by adopting the Law on the Educational Reform (Ley Reglamentaria de la Reforma Educativa);

...

•          Belize, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 59 at paras. 352 and 354.

352. The Committee expresses its concern at the high rate of illiteracy and regional disparities in this respect...

...

354. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate adequate financial, technical and human resources in order:

(a) Urgently to take all necessary measures to further reduce the illiteracy rates in the country;

...

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 104 at paras. 572 and 574.

572. The Committee is...concerned about:

...

(b) The high illiteracy rate;

...

574. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(g) Implement additional and effective measures to promote early childhood education and continue its efforts to reduce illiteracy rates;

•          Mongolia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 113 at paras. 566 and 568.

566. ...The high number of primary-school-aged children not enrolled in school, including gender and regional disparities in school enrolment, the increasing rates of illiteracy and the high rate of school drop-outs, especially in rural areas, give cause for serious concerns.

...

568. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate measures to allocate adequate financial and human resources in order:

...

(d) To take additional steps to address increasing illiteracy rates;

...

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 132 at paras. 644 and 646.

644. The Committee is concerned about:

(a) The still low literacy rate (76.7 per cent of adult and 86.2 per cent of children in 2002);

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646. The Committee encourages the State party to:

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(b) Emphasize the quality of education and devote more resources to education in the national budget;

(c) Strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment and completion rates and reducing dropout rates in pre-primary, primary and secondary education;

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