A/HRC/43/42/Add.1 58. Some parents stated that they did not send their children with albinism to school as they believed, mistakenly, that they were less intellectually capable, and unable to compete favourably with other children. In addition, children with albinism are more isolated from activities that stimulate cognitive and perceptual motor development, because they are often unable to take part in outdoor activities and tasks. At school, poor vision, skin problems, social exclusion and lack of appropriate accommodation impede their progress. 59. South Africa has, however, made considerable progress in enhancing access to education. The Government announced fully subsidized post-school education and training for students from low-income families over a five-year period.26 Nevertheless, profound inequalities continue to undermine economic, social and cultural rights.27 In 2016, 20 per cent of the national budget was allocated to education.28 However in 2018, budget cuts were made, 29 which may further worsen inequalities and increase dropout rates among schoolchildren. 60. There are also disparities in terms of access to quality education and educational resources by all ethnic groups. The current educational programmes have been gradual in eliminating racial and xenophobic tensions and barriers. 30 As the prevalence of albinism is usually higher within some ethnic groups and indigenous groups, some children with albinism may face intersecting discrimination in their access to education. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has also noted persistent wide disparities in access to quality education, according to economic status, race and geography. 61. By 2018, the Government had not implemented key aspects of the 2001 national policy to provide inclusive education for all children with disabilities, nor had it adopted legislation to guarantee the right to inclusive education. However, it continued to implement the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support Policy designed to ensure that children with disabilities were provided with full support when accessing education. The majority of the Government’s limited budget for learners with disabilities continued to be allocated to special schools rather than inclusive education.31 62. In October 2018, the Government said it would declare special schools for children with disabilities as no-fee schools, which the Independent Expert commends. However, many learners with disabilities have to study far from their families and communities, in schools that are isolated and lack properly trained staff.32 63. In a workshop for over 50 learners with albinism from various provinces, the Independent Expert heard of challenges faced by learners wanting to attend mainstream schools but forced to attend special schools. There is an ongoing debate about the value of specialized schools vis-à-vis mainstream schools for learners with albinism. This debate is not only a reflection of pre-existing differences between both forms of education, but is also due to issues of security, namely reported attacks against persons with albinism. The Independent Expert notes that in light of the security situation faced by learners with albinism and their family members, the decision is to be left to parents and children to choose what is in the best interests of the child. Equally important is the need to properly equip and resource both types of environments to adequately respond to persons with albinism, so that there is a real choice for the learner. The majority of persons with albinism who met with the Independent Expert appeared to favour ordinary schools, which better prepared them for university and “the real world”. Some stated that special schools tended to isolate learners who may already be experiencing difficulty with social exclusion, and may not provide the necessary curricula that learners with albinism require. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 12 See E/C.12/ZAF/CO/1. Amnesty International Annual Report 2017/18, available from www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2018/02/annual-report-201718/. See CERD/C/ZAF/CO/4-8. Human Rights Watch, “South Africa: events of 2018”, available at www.hrw.org/worldreport/2019/country-chapters/south-africa. See E/C.12/ZAF/CO/1. Amnesty International Annual Report 2017/18. See CRPD/C/ZAF/CO/1.