Eliminate donations for school admissions and drug trafficking at schools Report

Strengthening efforts to eradicate all hidden costs of schooling, in particular the practice of donations for school admittance and training of teachers on identifying and addressing drug dealing on school premises are some of the recommendations made by the United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The Committee also suggested the Government ensure all schools currently run by the military are transferred back to the Ministry of Education and that the training of Cadet Corps does not include military activities.

It emphasized the State to address the significant school dropout rate within rural areas, as well as long term absences, including by making available adequate transportation in rural areas.

“Guarantee the right to education for all children with disabilities and promote and strengthen inclusive education and to ensure that ageappropriate sexual and productive health education is part of the mandatory school curriculum, with special attention to preventing early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.”

Developing and promoting quality vocational training to enhance the skills of children, especially those who drop out of school and children in street situations, are among the suggestions.

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The Committee urged the government to increase children’s awareness and preparedness for climate change and natural disasters by incorporating it into the school curriculum and teachers’ training programmes.

It also recommended the government, with the necessary budget allocation to address the regional disparities in school infrastructure and quality teaching, ensuring the availability of qualified school personnel, providing quality education in all languages and improving technical and infrastructural facilities.