A/HRC/45/24
11.
Several States reported having adopted policies requiring the inclusion of human
rights training in teacher education. In Andorra, under Decrees of 11 July 2018 and of 24
October 2018, skills training on promoting democratic citizenship and human rights
education were introduced in pre-service training for teachers. In Brazil, human rights
education is mandatory in both the pre-service and in-service training of education
professionals. In Slovenia, the rules governing traineeships for such professionals stipulate
that their training must address the promotion of democracy and respect for diversity and
multiculturalism among students. In El Salvador, human rights modules are mandatory in
the pre-service training programmes for teachers and are a prerequisite for teacher
qualification. In Mexico, the educational reform carried out in 2019 highlighted the need to
develop a national strategy for the improvement of teacher training colleges, including
through human rights training.
12.
States have also reported the adoption of policies addressing human rights in the
learning environment. In Albania, in line with the national agenda for the rights of the child,
2017–2020, all school-level policies must be based on the principle that students have the
right to learn in a positive and safe environment in which respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms is guaranteed. In Finland, students at all levels have a statutory right
to welfare services, as detailed in the national core curriculum. In accordance with the Pupil
and Student Welfare Act of 2013, student welfare is organized through cooperation with the
education administration and health and social services and is implemented in cooperation
with students and their guardians. In Cyprus, under the regulations on the operation of
secondary schools adopted in 2017, procedures have been established to help educators and
other professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, to address problems facing
students, including learning disabilities, eating disorders, sexual abuse and domestic
violence. In 2015, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth issued the Code of
Conduct against Racism and Guide for Managing and Recording Racist Incidents in
schools. In Cambodia, under the Law on Education learners, educational personnel and
parents or guardians have the right to make a request, or raise a complaint with, the
competent education authorities at various levels, as well as to the courts, if they believe
that their rights in the area of education have been violated.
13.
Many States have established policies aimed at eliminating violence at school. In
Slovenia, as of the school year 2016/17, amendments to the Organization and Financing of
Education Act have specified a policy of zero tolerance of any violence against or among
children. In Cambodia, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport endorsed the policy on
child protection in school, in 2016, which mandates all public and private educational
establishments to develop systems and mechanisms to ensure that all children are protected
from all forms of violence and harm, whether physical, mental, emotional, sexual or
psychological. In Cyprus, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth developed
the national strategy for preventing and addressing school violence, 2018–2022. Finland
reported that the Ministry of Education and Culture began the preparation of a national
action plan in 2018 to improve safe learning communities, from early childhood to higher
education. The Ministry also established a working group to survey methods for preventing
and intervening in cases of bullying and for promoting peace at school at all levels. The
working group completed its work in March 2018 and issued 24 proposed measures to
safeguard the safety and well-being of every child and young person at all levels of
education, including training.
14.
States reported policies that ensure access to high-quality education for children and
young people in situations of exclusion or vulnerability. In Cambodia, the Ministry of
Education, Youth and Sport endorsed the policy on inclusive education, under which all
persons with special needs have access to education and life-long learning opportunities.
The Ministry has also provided scholarships for primary and secondary schools to offer to
indigenous children and young people, benefiting 12,164 students in the 2018/19 school
year, with priority given to girls. In Cyprus, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and
Youth has issued and implemented, with the support of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute,
two action plans, for the periods 2016–2018 and 2019–2021, for the integration of migrant
students and an action plan to promote gender equality in the education system. In Italy, in
2019, the Ministry of Education, University and Research signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Carabinieri to provide human rights, citizenship and democracy
education, among other things, for young people in juvenile detention centres. In Mexico,
in the new curriculum for basic education launched in 2017 it is recognized that students
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