A/HRC/44/39/Add.1
schools for non-Qataris and in community schools has allowed for the exponential
growth of the for-profit private sector, not always in line with the aspirations of
parents and learners. A better balance needs to be struck.
109.
The Special Rapporteur recommends that:
(a)
The Government increase its support for the establishment of
community schools, including for those communities that do not yet operate such
schools. Community schools should be supported to establish new branches and/or
operate afternoon shifts, or entirely new community schools should be created to
respond to the demand of parents and learners;
(b)
More places be made available in public schools for those wishing to
attend. The Government may consider, in cooperation with all stakeholders,
community schools becoming part of the public sector of education in Qatar, while
still ensuring a high degree of autonomy for these schools. The Special Rapporteur
underlines in this regard principles 2 and 3 of the Abidjan Principles on the definition
of the public sector of education;
(c)
Adequate funding of the public sector always remain the priority.
Taking note of the educational voucher programme, the Special Rapporteur draws
the attention of the Government to the substantive and procedural requirements set
out in principles 64 to 74 of the Abidjan Principles regarding the funding of private
educational institutions, whether direct or indirect;
(d)
The Government ensure that migrant workers on low wages have access
to literacy and vocational training programmes during working hours, not only to
increase their competencies relevant to their current posts, but also as part of a
mobility and upskilling scheme. The Government should consider requiring private
companies to offer such programmes.
Accessibility
110. One major concern is that education is not free of charge for a high proportion
of children residing in Qatar, particularly non-Qatari children, in contravention of
international human rights law.
111. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the fact that Qatar has already taken a
number of steps to remedy this. She encourages the Government to finalize the study
on free access to education that is currently under way, and to continue reflecting on
possible modalities of payment by private companies of the tuition fees of their
employees.
112. Impressed by the significant measures adopted by the authorities to provide
free education to disadvantaged children through the establishment of Ihsaan charity
schools, the Special Rapporteur invites the Government to quickly find a solution to
provide free lunches to children attending these schools. It is also very important to
raise awareness among the families of these children about the importance of
education and to offer them literacy programmes.
113. Beyond such ad hoc and focused measures, the Special Rapporteur encourages
the Government to adopt a longer-term vision, based on the right to free public
education. The Government should:
(a)
Take all necessary measures to implement article 14 of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and adopt a detailed plan of
measures to achieve progressively the full application of the principle of compulsory
and free primary education for all, including non-Qataris. The principle of free access
should be progressively but rapidly extended to the secondary level of education;
(b)
Understand the principle of free education as covering not only school
fees, but also so-called hidden costs such as transportation, books and stationery,
uniforms, exam entrance fees and invigilation fees;
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