A/HRC/13/59 uniforms, textbooks and school lunches. The experts noted, however, that levels of illiteracy are higher among the Afro-Ecuadorian population than the national average2 and access to education presents an ongoing challenge to this population group. Traditionally, levels of school attendance for the Afro-Ecuadorian population have been lower than the national average, but the Government’s policies, particularly the abolition of school fees, have had a positive impact on access to education by Afro-Ecuadorian children. Recently, Ecuador has been mainstreaming an intercultural aspect in its education system, which has allowed indigenous communities to benefit from the provision of lessons in indigenous languages and on subjects that are particularly culturally relevant to indigenous communities. Intercultural education is yet, however, to be extended systematically by the State to Afro-Ecuadorians. The experts were informed that Afro-Ecuadorian history and the contributions made by Ecuadorians of African descent to Ecuadorian culture do not figure greatly in the school syllabus. 20. According to information received, a limited number of Afro-Ecuadorian children complete primary education, even fewer continue to secondary education and exceptionally few enrol in universities. Less than 1 per cent of university graduates in Ecuador are of African descent, although Afro-Ecuadorians constitute 5.5 per cent of the population.3 High levels of poverty and the associated attraction of entering the workforce as soon as possible contribute greatly to the very low numbers of Afro-Ecuadorians studying at university. The experts were also informed that there is a tendency for university lecturers to view AfroEcuadorian students as intellectually unsuited to serious study. As well as affirmative measures (such as a quota system in universities for students of African descent), it was suggested that there needed to be a support structure at the universities that helps AfroEcuadorian students navigate within what is often a very unfamiliar environment. 21. During its meeting with the Quito authorities, the experts were informed that, although the education programme is managed at the national level, they are currently working on a municipal ordinance that will ensure places in local schools for students from disadvantaged groups, such as the Afro-Ecuadorian population. The ordinance will also smooth the way for the free school meals programme, which will help prevent students dropping out of school. To further improve access to education by vulnerable groups, the City of Quito intends to provide a number of scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and require that schools report on the number of Afro-Ecuadorian students enrolled and the number that complete their studies. 22. While meeting with NGOs in the Chota valley, the experts were informed about a project currently being conducted by the Federation of Black Communities of Imbabura and Carchi to produce educative modules on the history of Ecuadorians of African descent, in the hope that these modules will be included in the syllabus of local schools. During their meeting with academics, the experts heard that although ethno-education (Afro-education) has taken place informally, an educational programme that caters to the specific needs of students from communities of African descent needs to be formalized. Such a programme should not be a copy of the ethno-education developed for indigenous communities but rather one that is tailored to the particular situation and needs of students of African descent. In meetings that the experts held with NGOs and community members from San Lorenzo in the Esmeraldas province, participants also underlined that Ecuadorian history and other textbooks do not cover the role and contribution of Ecuadorians of African 2 3 8 According to the survey on living conditions in Ecuador (ECV), 2006, 9.13 per cent of the Ecuadorian population was illiterate, as compared with 12.63 per cent of Afro-Ecuadorians. The most recent census conducted in Ecuador took place in 2001 and found that the Afro-Ecuadorian population constituted 4.97 per cent of the general population. The national survey on living conditions, carried out in 2006, found that they made up 5.7 per cent of the population. GE.10-10207