Summary

In accordance with article 22 of the Convention, the specialized agencies of the United Nations system have been invited to submit to the Committee, at its eighty-sixth session, reports on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities.

I.Introduction

1.The right to education, which lies at the heart of UNESCO’s mission, is enshrined in international human rights law through numerous legally binding international treaties.

2.UNESCO’s work on education and gender equality is guided by the UNESCO Strategy for gender equality in and through education (2019–2025), which focuses on system-wide transformation to benefit all learners and targeted interventions to support girls’ and women’s empowerment. The Strategy aims to achieve UNESCO’s vision to enable girls and boys, women and men and all learners, to realize their rights and potential in and through education. The right to education of girls and women is a high priority for UNESCO, with the Organization promoting gender equality in participation in, within and through education. To achieve this, the Organisation provides technical support to its Member States to align constitutional, legislative and policy frameworks with international normative instruments and commitments, and supports the development and implementation of gender-transformative strategies that tackle key barriers to girls’ and women’s participation in quality educational opportunities.

3.The Organization also monitors the status of national constitutions, legislation and regulations related to girls’ and women’s education rights across the world through “HerAtlas” – an interactive online tool that constitutes a valuable resource in compiling this report. UNESCO’s initiative “Her Education, Our Future” – to which HerAtlas contributes – is designed to accelerate action on girls’ and women’s education by leveraging political and financial commitments, and leadership.

4.From a more general perspective, the “Observatory on the right to education” monitoring tool (currently inaccessible as a technical upgrade is underway), which sheds lights on inequalities in countries by publishing data on implementation of the right to education at national level, has also provided useful documentation for this report.

5.To ensure, monitor and advocate for the right to education without discrimination, UNESCO regularly monitors the implementation of the Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education through periodic consultations, requesting Member States to submit national reports on the measures taken to implement the Convention and Recommendation. To follow up effectively on the information obtained, an analytical report synthesizing the findings of the national reports is then prepared. The latest Consultation on the Convention and Recommendation resulted in the submission of 82 national reports. The information contained in the national reports has served as a source for the development of the Global Report ‘From right to country level action’ and is also used for this report. The next consultation will be launched in early 2024 and will conclude in 2025.

6.UNESCO has therefore a major role and responsibility within the United Nations system for the implementation of a number of the provisions contained in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in particular Article 10, which provides that: “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rights with men in the field of education”.

II.Measures taken by countries under review

For the 86th session:

Albania

7.Albania ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 21 November 1963.

8.The Constitution of Albania enshrines the right to education for all and contains a principle of equality of all before the law as well as the prohibition of discrimination based on gender.

9.The legislation of Albania guarantees the right to education for all within the State, without discrimination, including based on gender. Moreover, it guarantees compulsory primary and secondary education for nine years (from six to 16 years old) and free primary and secondary education for at least 12 years. However, pre-primary education is neither free nor mandatory.

10.According to the Albanian Family Code, the minimum age for marriage is 18 for both men and women. However, the Code does allow for judicial exceptions without setting an absolute minimum age.

11.Although the legislation explicitly prohibits corporal punishment and violence in general in pre-university education, gender-based violence is not explicitly prohibited. However, discrimination in education based on pregnancy or parentage is prohibited according to the Albanian Law on protection from discrimination.

12.The minimum age of employment is set at 16 years, which aligns with end of compulsory education in Albania.

13.According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), in 2020 the effective transition rate from primary to lower secondary general education stood at 98,1% (98,2% for girls and 97,9% for boys). In 2021, the gross enrolment rate in primary education was at 95,92% (96,81% for girls and 95,12% for boys). That same year, the gross enrolment rate in secondary education stood at 96,11% (97,7% for girls, and 94,75% for boys).

14.According to UIS data, in 2020 government expenditure on education by Albania represented 3,3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

15.Albania submitted a national report on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education to the most recent 10th Consultation (2020–2021).

Bhutan

16.Bhutan has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. The country should be strongly encouraged to do so.

17.The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan does not enshrine the right to education, but states that the State endeavours to provide education. It contains an equality principle and a non-discrimination principle based on sex.

18.No legislative provision enshrining the right to education, proscribing discrimination in education nor providing for compulsory education, has been identified. However, under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, education is free to all children up until the 10th standard.

19.According to the Marriage Act of Bhutan, the minimum age for marriage is 16 for girls and 18 for boys. It therefore does not comply with international standards under which the minimum age for marriage should be 18 for both sexes (or 16 with judicial consent).

20.No legal provision prohibiting violence or corporal punishment in educational institutions has been identified. Similarly, no provisions prohibiting discrimination against pregnant girls or mothers in educational establishments have been identified.

21.The minimum age of employment is set at 18 years old according to article 82 of the Regulation on Working Conditions of 2022, but no provision regarding compulsory education has been identified, therefore it is not possible to assess their alignment.

22.According to UIS, in 2022, government expenditure on education by Bhutan represented 8.14% of GDP and 19.65% of total governmental expenditure.

23.Bhutan did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Recommendation against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

France

24.France ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 11 September 1961.

25.The French Constitution does not expressly guarantee education as a right, but only guarantees equal access to schooling and vocational training. The law guarantees women equal rights to those of men in all domains.

26.The French Education Code of 2000 enshrines the right to education without any form of discrimination, but does not explicitly mention sex or gender as a prohibited ground. It guarantees 13 years of compulsory education (from 3 to 16 years old), including three years of free nursery education (école maternelle), as well as 12 years of free primary and secondary education.

27.The French Civil Code sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 years. However, State prosecutors may grant age exemptions on serious grounds, and minors may marry if they have parental consent, whereby the law does not set an absolute minimum age.

28.In 2022, the Education Code was amended to include a legislative ban on bullying at all levels of education. Circular No. 2014-088 states that the internal regulations of nursery and elementary schools must explicitly prohibit corporal punishment and state that everyone has a duty to protect against psychological, physical or moral violence. However, these provisions are limited to nursery and elementary schools and are not reflected in legislation. No legislative provisions or provisions applicable to the other levels of education have been identified. Furthermore, no provisions concerning sexual violence have been identified. Since 2018, the Education Code explicitly mentions the possibility of adapting the means of assessing learning for pregnant girls at university level.

29.According to the French Labour Code, the minimum working age is 16 years, which is in line with the end of compulsory education.

30.According to UIS, in 2021 the gross enrolment rate in primary education was at 102,74% (102,42% for girls and 103,06% for boys). In the same year, the gross enrolment rate in secondary education was at 104,42% (104,39% for girls and 104,43% for boys).

31.According to UIS data, in 2021 government expenditure on education of France represented 5.2% of GDP and 8.9% of total governmental expenditure.

32.France did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

Guatemala

33.Guatemala ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 4 February 1983.

34.The Constitution of Guatemala does not comprehensively enshrine the right to education as it is limited to initial, pre-primary, and basic education. It also provides for a general principle of equality of rights and explicitly states that men and women have equal opportunities.

35.The legislation of Guatemala enshrines the right to education without discrimination among inhabitants of Guatemala and without discrimination based on sex, but not comprehensively as it is limited to children and adolescents. The legal framework guarantees compulsory primary and secondary education for a duration of nine years (from age 6.5 to age 15) and free primary and secondary education for a duration of 12 years. The legal framework guarantees four years of compulsory and free initial education and three years of free and compulsory pre-primary education.

36.According to decree 13-2017 of Guatemala, the minimum age of marriage for men and women is 18 years old, with no exception.

37.All forms of physical, psychological and sexual violence are prohibited in schools and punishable by the legislation of Guatemala. However, no explicit prohibition of corporal punishment has been identified in the legislation. The Law on national education of Guatemala obliges the state to create support and protection programmes for mothers in the pre- and post-natal periods.

38.According to the Constitution of Guatemala, the labour code and the Law on comprehensive protection of childhood and adolescence, the minimum age of employment is set at 14 years old. However, according to the Law on social development, Guatemala should avoid early integration into the labour market at the expense of the student’s rights, including their right to complete their years of compulsory education.

39.According to UIS, in 2021 the effective transition rate from primary to lower secondary general education was at 76,5% (76,1% for girls and 76,9% for boys).

40.According to UIS data, in 2021 government expenditure on education by Guatemala represented 3,2% of GDP and 19,2% of total governmental expenditure.

41.Guatemala submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).

Jamaica

42.Jamaica ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 16 March 2006.

43.The Constitution of Jamaica does not comprehensively enshrine the right to education as it is limited to children. It contains a provision on non-discrimination based on gender.

44.No legislative provision has been identified that guarantees the right to education in Jamaica, nor compulsory education. Regarding free education, education is only tuition-free at the primary level (for a minimum duration of 5 years). Pre-‍primary education is publicly funded under the Constitution, although no duration is specified.

45.Under Jamaican marriage law, the minimum age for marriage is 18 for both men and women, but marriage with parental consent is permitted from the age of 16.

46.No legal provision has been identified regarding the prohibition, in educational settings, of corporal punishment and all forms of violence.

47.Under the Childcare and Protection Act of Jamaica, the minimum age of employment is 15 years of age. As no provision regarding compulsory education has been identified, it is difficult to assess the alignment of ages.

48.According to UIS, in 2022 the gross enrolment rate in primary education in Jamaica was at 90,74% (89.77% for girls and 91.68% for boys). In the same year, the gross enrolment rate in secondary education was at 83.87% (83.9% for girls, and 83.84% for boys).

49.According to UIS data, in 2022 government expenditure on education by Jamaica represented 5,5% of GDP and 13,4% of total governmental expenditure.

50.Jamaica did not submit a national report on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education for the most recent 10th Consultation (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

Malawi

51.Malawi has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. Malawi should be encouraged to ratify it.

52.The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi enshrines the right to education for all in its and proscribes any kind of discrimination, including based on sex.

53.The Education Act (No. 21) of 2013 does not explicitly enshrine the right to education but makes primary education tuition-free and compulsory for a duration of seven years. Pre-primary education is neither free nor compulsory.

54.The Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act of 2015 raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 years old. Malawi also amended the Constitution in 2017 to revise a provision which permitted children between the ages of 15 and 18 to marry, with parental consent and therefore closed the legal loophole.

55.The Constitution prohibits corporal punishment by the organs of the State but does not mention schools specifically. However, the National Education Standards will only consider schools as meeting “minimum standards” if they “never use corporal punishment”. No provision regarding other type of violence has been identified.

56.The minimum age of employment in Malawi is 14 years old according to the Employment Act (No. 6) of 2000. The age at which compulsory education begins and ends is not specified in the legislation, therefore difficult for UNESCO to analyze whether the ages are aligned.

57.UIS data shows that in secondary education, in 2019, net enrollment rate was 27.4% for girls and 31.5% for boys.

58.In 2018, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP was 3.3% and 15.8% of total government expenditure, according to UIS.

59.Malawi has not submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

Nicaragua

60.Nicaragua ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 28 September 1981.

61.The Constitution of Nicaragua of 1987 enshrines the right to education for all citizens and proscribes discrimination, including on the grounds of gender.

62.The General Law on Education of 2006 enshrines the right to education for all without discrimination, including based on sex. It guarantees compulsory primary education for six years from the age of six. It provides for free primary and secondary education for a duration of 11 years and one year of free and compulsory pre-primary education.

63.The Nicaraguan Family Code of 2014 sets the minimum age of marriage to 18, although legal representatives of adolescents may authorize the marriage of minors between 16 and 18 years old.

64.The Code of Childhood and Adolescence of 2007 prohibits the use of punishment in education institutions that would cause physical, moral and psychological damage. The Comprehensive Act against Violence towards Women of 2012 prohibits all kind of violence against women, including in public institutions.

65.The Labour Code of 1996 sets the minimum age of employment at the age of 14, which is not aligned with the end of compulsory education.

66.According to available UIS data, in primary education, in 2021, the gross enrolment rate was 105.38% for girls and 108.92% for boys.

67.In 2021, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP was 4.1% and 22.7% of total government expenditure, according to UIS.

68.Nicaragua did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

The Philippines

69.The Philippines ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 19 November 1964.

70.The Constitution of the Philippines of 1987 guarantees the right to education of all citizens and provides for equality between men and women before the law.

71.The Education Act of 1982 guarantees the right to relevant quality education of every individual without discrimination, notably based on sex. The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 guarantees 12 years of compulsory basic education generally starting at the age of six, covering six years of elementary education (primary education) and six years of secondary education. Education is free at the primary and secondary school levels according to the Constitution and the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988. According to the Kindergarten Education Act of 2012 and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, one year of free and compulsory pre-primary education is guaranteed starting at the age of five.

72.The legal age of marriage in the Philippines is 18 years old and no exceptions are admitted under the Family Code of 1987. Furthermore, the Act prohibiting the practice of child marriage and imposing penalties for violations thereof, of 2021, which applies to “civil or church proceedings, or in any recognized traditional, cultural or customary manner”, also prohibits marriage below 18 years old.

73.The Philippines explicitly protects the right to education of pregnant and parenting girls through the Magna Carta of Women of 2009 and the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2017. The legislation prohibits the use of corporal punishment within educational institutions. Moreover, it provides protection from all gender-based violence, including physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the educational environment.

74.Philippine’s legal age of employment is 15 years old according to the Labour Code of 1977. Considering that secondary education ends when the child reaches the age of 18 and is part of basic compulsory education, the age of employment is not aligned with the end of compulsory education.

75.According to UIS, in 2019, the effective transition rate from primary to lower secondary general education was 96.6% for boys and 97.9% for girls.

76.In 2022, government expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP was 3.6% and 15.7% of total government expenditure, according to UIS.

77.The Philippines did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

Uruguay

78.Uruguay ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 03 May 2004.

79.The Constitution of Uruguay does not enshrine the right to education. It contains a principle of equality before the law.

80.Legislation enshrines the right to education without distinction of any kind and prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in education. It guarantees free and compulsory primary and secondary education (lower and upper) for a duration of 12 years, starting at age six. It also guarantees two years of free and compulsory pre‍-‍primary education.

81.The legal framework establishes that the minimum age of marriage for girls is 18 years old, but non-judicial exceptions permit marriage from 16 years old.

82.Together, the Code of childhood and adolescence and the gender-based Law on violence against women prohibit corporal punishment and all kinds of gender-based violence in the educational environment. The legal framework protects the right to education of pregnant and parenting girls, by explicitly stating that pregnant students have the right to continue their studies and to receive specific educational support, including postpartum (Art 74 of the General education law).

83.The legal framework establishes 15 years old as the minimum age for employment, which is not aligned with the end of compulsory school (set at 18).

84.In 2020, the effective transition rate from primary to lower secondary general education was of 67.6% (71% for girls and 64.3% for boys).

85.Government expenditure on education in 2022 represented 4.37% of GDP and 16.82% of total government expenditure. In 2023, it represented 15.43% of the total government expenditure.

86.Uruguay did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

For the 88th pre-sessional working group (PSWG):

The Bahamas

87.The Bahamas has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. The country should be encouraged to ratify it.

88.The Constitution of the Bahamas does not enshrine the right to education. There is a general non-discrimination provision, however sex and gender do not appear as prohibited grounds.

89.No provision enshrining the right to education has been identified in the legislation. No legal provision has been identified that prevents discrimination in educational settings. The legal framework guarantees 12 years of compulsory and free primary and secondary education spanning age five to 16. No legal provision has been identified that guarantees at least one year of free or compulsory education.

90.The minimum age of marriage is 18 years. Exceptions are permitted with the consent of a parent or guardian, with a lower limit of 15 years. In very exceptional circumstances, the Supreme Court can, with “good cause shown” provide consent for the marriage of children between the ages of 13 and 15 years.

91.Corporal punishment is legitimate under the Penal Code. The Child Protection Act does not expressly protect from violence in educational institutions.

92.The minimum age of employment is 16 years in the Child Protection Act and 14 years in the Employment Act. Due to this inconsistency, the age at which compulsory education ends (16 years) cannot be considered as aligned with the minimum age of employment.

93.According to UIS, in 2018, the Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) was 74% in primary education (75% for girls and 73% for boys). At secondary level, the NER stood at 62% (65% for girls and 60% for boys). No more recent data is available.

94.According to UIS, in 2023, government expenditure on education represented 3.09% of GDP and 11.6% of total government expenditure.

95.The Bahamas did not submit a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Recommendation against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021). The country should be recommended to participate more systematically in the monitoring consultation conducted by UNESCO.

Ireland

96.Ireland has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. The country should be encouraged to ratify it.

97.The Constitution of Ireland mentions education but does not guarantee it as a right. It contains a provision on equality before the law, without mentioning the grounds of sex or gender.

98.No legislative provisions that enshrine the right to education have been identified. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act prohibits discrimination in admission based on gender and the Equal Status Act prohibits discrimination in educational establishments. Legislation provides for compulsory education from six to 16 years old. Ireland does provide for free primary education in the Constitution. Although the new Admission to Schools Act (2018) only prohibits fees and seeking payments or contributions for application, admission and continued enrolment of students in schools, there is no explicit reference to the levels of education or number of years of free education. No legislative provision guaranteeing free or compulsory pre-school education has been identified.

99.According to the Family Law of Ireland, the minimum age of marriage for girls is 18, but the judge can allow exceptions when there are serious reasons, and no absolute minimum age is defined.

100.Corporal Punishment is prohibited in schools under two Circulars adopted in 1982 as well as under the Children Act adopted in 2001. The Children First Act protects from harm but does not explicitly cover all forms of violence. The Equal Status Act of Ireland prohibits discrimination in educational establishments on the grounds of pregnancy or parenthood.

101.The legislation of Ireland sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years old, or the school-leaving age, whichever is the higher.

102.According to the latest UIS data (2021), the gross enrolment rates in primary education in Ireland were 99.98% (100.57% for girls and 99.42% for boys). When it comes to secondary education, the gross enrolment rates were 135.25% (141.5% for girls, and 129.23% for boys).

103.According to the latest UIS data (2021), government expenditure on education represented 2.98% of GDP and 12.02% of total government expenditure.

104.Ireland submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).

Israel

105.Israel is no longer a UNESCO Member State, but has been a party to the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education since 22 September 1961.

106.The legislation of Israel does not comprehensively enshrine the right to education as it is limited to children and adolescents. It is guaranteed without discrimination based on gender. Primary and secondary education is compulsory and free for at least 12 years starting from the age of six. It also guarantees three years of compulsory and free pre-primary education from the age of three.

107.The minimum age of marriage is 18 years for both sexes and judicial exceptions permit marriage from 16 years of age.

108.The Pupil Rights Law protects students from corporal punishment in educational institutions. However, no legal provision has been identified that explicitly prohibits other forms of violence – including psychological, physical and sexual violence – in educational institutions.

109.While the general minimum age of employment is 15 years, the law also prohibits explicitly the employment of youth subject to compulsory education.

110.According to UIS data, in 2020, the effective transition rate from primary to lower secondary general education stood at 99.9% (99.9% for boys and 100% for girls).

111.According to UIS data, in 2021, government expenditure on education represented 7.42% of GDP and 18.43% of the total government expenditure.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

112.Lao People’s Democratic Republic has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. Lao People’s Democratic Republic should be encouraged to do so.

113.The Constitution of Lao People’s Democratic Republic recognizes the right to education for citizens and provides for a non-discrimination provision which specifies gender as a prohibited ground.

114.The Law on education of 2015 guarantees the right to education for all, without discrimination based on gender. It also provides for free and compulsory primary and lower secondary education for 9 years, starting at the age of six. No provision enshrining free or compulsory pre-primary education has been identified.

115.The minimum age of marriage is 18 years, however with mutual consent individuals may marry as young as 15 years old.

116.There is limited protection from corporal punishment, as the education law only mentions prohibition of “beating”, “insulting” and “torture” from teachers, however “corporal punishment” is not expressly prohibited. The Law on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Children aims to prevent and combat all violence toward women and children, including in the education setting.

117.The Labour Law sets the minimum age for employment at 14 years old, which is aligned with the end of compulsory education.

118.According to the latest UIS data (2021), the gross enrolment rates in primary education in Lao People’s Democratic Republic were 98.45% total (97.05% for girls and 99.81% for boys). As regards secondary education, the gross enrolment rates were 59.80% total, 58.34% for girls, and 61.21% for boys.

119.According to the latest UIS data (2022), government expenditure on education represented 1.39% of the GDP and 9.07% of the government expenditure.

120.Lao People’s Democratic Republic submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).

Mauritius

121.Mauritius ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 20 August 1970.

122.The Constitution of Mauritius does not enshrine the right to education. The Constitution contains a provision on non-discrimination on the grounds of sex.

123.Legislation does not explicitly enshrine the right to education. However, it contains a provision on non-discrimination in education, notably based on sex. The Education Act of 1957 provides for compulsory primary and secondary education from 5 to 16 years old. While it has been reported by the State that, since the amendment of the legislation in 2005, education is free from primary (starting at 5) and until 16 years old, no provision explicitly providing for free education has been identified in the legislation. No provision regarding free or compulsory pre-primary education has been identified.

124.Since the adoption of the Children’s Act in 2020, the minimum age for civil and religious marriage for women and men is set at 18 years. All the previous provisions (articles 145 – 148 of the Civil Code) providing for exceptions for marriage below the age of 18 were repealed by the Children’s Act of 2020, in its Regulation 73: Consequential amendments.

125.Since the adoption in 2020 of the Children’s Act, corporal punishment is expressly prohibited as a measure to discipline or correct the child. The Equal Opportunities Act prohibits sexual harassment in schools. No other provisions regarding violence in educational establishments, such as physical or psychological violence, have been identified. The legal framework of Mauritius prohibits restrictions to the access to education of pregnant and parenting girls.

126.The Workers’ Rights Act of 2019 sets the minimum age of employment at 16 years, which is aligned with the end of compulsory education.

127.According to the latest UIS data (2021), the gross enrolment rates in primary education in Mauritius were 98.40% total, 99.57% for girls, and 97.27% for boys. When it comes to secondary education, the gross enrolment rates were 93.73% total, 95.99% for girls, and 91.55% for boys.

128.According to the latest UIS data, government expenditure on education represented 4.84% of the GDP in 2022 and 11.67% of the government expenditure in 2021.

129.Mauritius submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).

Mexico

130.Mexico has not ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. The country should be strongly encouraged to ratify it.

131.The Constitution of Mexico as amended in 2019 enshrines the right to education for all and contains a provision on non-discrimination based on gender.

132.According to the General Law on Education as amended in 2019, the legislation of Mexico enshrines the right to education for all within the territory. The law provides for gender-based policies and for actions so that no person is excluded based on sex or gender. Furthermore, the Gender Law for Equality between Men and Women guarantees that education at all levels is carried out within the framework of equality between women and men. In addition, the legal framework guarantees free and compulsory primary and secondary education for a duration of 12 years, starting from six years of age. It also guarantees three years of free and compulsory pre-primary education.

133.The legal framework sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 years.

134.The legal framework guarantees protection from corporal punishment and all kinds of violence – including psychological, physical and sexual violence – in educational institutions. The General Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents protects the access to, permanence in and re-entry to education of pregnant girls and adolescents.

135.The legal framework of Mexico sets the minimum age of employment at 15 years old, but those aged between 15 and 18 years old are not permitted to work if they have not completed basic education. This is not aligned with the end of compulsory education (18 years old) which requires completing upper secondary education.

136.According to the latest UIS data (2020), the gross enrolment rates in primary education in Mexico were 103.69% total, 104.19% for girls and 103.22% for boys. As regards secondary education, the gross enrolment rates stood at 101.84% total, 106.85% for girls, and 97.0% for boys.

137.According to the latest UIS data (2020), government expenditure on education represented 4.63% of the GDP and 16.20% of the government expenditure.

138.Mexico submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).

Romania

139.Romania ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 9 July 1964.

140.The Constitution of Romania ensures the right to education and contains a provision on non-discrimination including based on sex.

141.In Romania, the Law of National Education No. 1/2011 recognizes the right to education for citizens and other groups of people. It is recognized without discrimination based on sex. The Constitution of Romania ensures the right to education, notably through compulsory general education. The Law of National Education No. 1/2011 specifies that the duration of compulsory primary and secondary education is 10 years, starting from the year when the child turns 6. Also, the legal framework provides for free public education for at least 12 years. In Romania pre-primary education is free. It covers the age range 3–6 years and comprises “the infant, junior and senior classes”. The attendance of senior group of pre-primary education is compulsory since 2019, while the junior group is compulsory since 2023 and the infant group will be by 2030 at the latest.

142.According to the Civil Code of Romania, the minimum age of marriage is 18 years and may be lowered to 16 years with judicial authorization.

143.Although gender-based violence are not explicitly mentioned, the legislation prohibits all forms of violence within education institutions as well as corporal punishment.

144.In Romania, the minimum age of employment is 16, which is aligned with the end of compulsory education. It is also possible to work under certain conditions from 15 years old.

145.According to the latest UIS data (2020), the gross enrolment rates in primary education in Romania were 87.79% total, 87.36% for girls, and 88.20% for boys. When it comes to secondary education, the gross enrolment rates were 87.10% total, 87.33% for girls, and 86.89% for boys.

146.According to the latest UIS data (2021), the expenditure on education represented 3.25% of the GDP and 8.14% of the government expenditure.

147.Romania did submit a national report on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education for the most recent 10th Consultation (2020–2021).

Saudi Arabia

148.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ratified the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education on 17 August 1973.

149.The Constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not enshrine the right to education and does not contain a principle on non-discrimination on the ground of sex or gender.

150.The legislation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enshrines the right to education, but not for all as it is limited to children. It does not contain a principle on non-discrimination on the grounds of sex or gender. The legislation guarantees compulsory and free basic education which, according to national report submitted under Article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, begins at age six and ends at age 15. However, UNESCO has been unable to access the original official documents. No legal provision has been identified that explicitly guarantees compulsory or free pre-primary education.

151.The new Personal Status Law of 2022 sets the minimum age of marriage at age 18. However, it does allow for judicial exceptions without setting an absolute minimum age.

152.Although the Child Protection Act of 2015 aims at protecting children from abuse (which is defined as including physical, psychological and sexual abuse), neglect and maltreatment in their surrounding environment including schools, no legal provision has been identified regarding the explicit prohibition of corporal punishment.

153.The minimum age of employment is set at 15 years, which aligns with end of compulsory education reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

154.According to UIS, in 2021 the gross enrolment rate in primary education was at 102% (103% for girls and 101% for boys). In the same year, the gross enrolment rate in secondary education was at 111% (109% for girls, and 113% for boys).

155.According to UIS data, in 2020 government expenditure on education by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented 7.8% of GDP and 19.1% of total government expenditure. In 2021, it represented 18.8% of total governmental expenditure.

156.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia submitted a national report to the most recent 10th Consultation on the measures taken to implement the Convention against Discrimination in Education (2020–2021).