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03 October 2000
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CRC
25th session
3 October 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded its consideration this afternoon of an initial report of Slovakia on how that country implemented the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In preliminary remarks, a Committee expert said, among other things, that the Government should strengthen its coordination of the protection of the rights of children.
The expert also said that the establishment of an office of an ombudsman was essential; that de facto discrimination of Roma children in many sectors of the society should be avoided; that the views of children should be included in programmes concerning them; and that cases of discrimination should be monitored.
Formal, written concluding observations and recommendations will be issued by the Committee towards the end of this week before it closes its three-week autumn session on 6 October.
Discussion over the course of the afternoon meeting centred on the main topics of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention, Slovakia is obligated to submit periodic reports to the Committee on how it is protecting children's rights. An 8-member Slovak delegation was on hand throughout the day to present the report and to answer experts' queries.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 4 October, it will take up the report of the Comoros (document CRC/C/28/Add.13).
Discussion
In response to follow-up queries put by Committee experts, the members of the Slovak delegation said, among other things, that they had no knowledge of any reservations made by the Government on article 7 of the Convention regarding the registration of new births and the right to a name. The issue would be put to the attention of the Government for clarification.
Education in Slovakia was free of charge, including university studies, the delegation said. However, in the future, students could be required to partially pay for their university studies. In order to improve the living conditions of the teaching staff in all learning institutions, the Government had increased its education budget by at least 7 per cent.
Children with "retarded" knowledge of the teaching language of regular schools were provided with the opportunity to attend classes in preparatory centres from the age of 6 years, the delegation said. In most cases, children with minority backgrounds benefited from such programmes. Individual attention was given to those children so that they could learn the language.
Since 1990, ethics had been made a subject in all schools as an experiment, the delegation said. The subject had now been introduced to teachers' training institutes so that future graduates could teach the subject.
Religious education was reintroduced in the curricula of primary and secondary schools, the delegation said. It was taught in the first four grades of primary schools as an optional subject while the teaching of religion and ethics became compulsory in the first two grades of secondary schools.
With regard to teacher-pupils relationships, the delegation said that it had been difficult for teachers to deal with Roma children. However, the Government was supporting teachers in their efforts and the situation was improving.
Students were encouraged to continue their studies once they completed their compulsory education, the delegation said. The Government also encouraged them to learn practical skills and apprenticeship types of professional work before starting work. In addition, the Government stressed the importance of qualified workers in many areas of work.
Roma children were also encouraged to complete secondary education and were discouraged from dropping out of school, the delegation said. The Government had also provided the possibility for Roma students to join the university. Cultural education in music was given to Roma students in addition to the teaching of their language. There were Roma children among the children's parliament of Slovakia.
The delegation said that the prohibition of corporal punishment had been regulated by the law, but the issue concerning the education of children without inflicting corporal punishment was problematic. Corporal punishment which resulted in bodily harm could be considered as a criminal act. In schools, such violence from corporal punishment was strictly prohibited.
Child neglect and child abuse existed in Slovakia, the delegation said. Child sexual abuse and child pornography had been problematic and needed international cooperation. In addition, drug abuse and petty theft were also committed by children. However, the incidents of juvenile crimes were not on the rise. The Government had taken measures to combat the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency and criminality.
Preliminary Remarks
A Committee expert said that the dialogue with the delegation had been professional and constructive. The Committee understood that Slovakia was a young Republic and had economic difficulties. Slovakia had a good infrastructure of legislation concerning child rights and individual rights. The general public opinion should be positive in treating Roma children. The Committee recommended, among other things, the strengthening of the coordination of the protection of the rights of children; that establishment of an office of an ombudsman was essential; that de facto discrimination of Roma children in many sectors of the society should be avoided; that the views of children should be included in programmes concerning them; and that cases of discrimination should be monitored.
* *** *
25th session
3 October 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded its consideration this afternoon of an initial report of Slovakia on how that country implemented the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In preliminary remarks, a Committee expert said, among other things, that the Government should strengthen its coordination of the protection of the rights of children.
The expert also said that the establishment of an office of an ombudsman was essential; that de facto discrimination of Roma children in many sectors of the society should be avoided; that the views of children should be included in programmes concerning them; and that cases of discrimination should be monitored.
Formal, written concluding observations and recommendations will be issued by the Committee towards the end of this week before it closes its three-week autumn session on 6 October.
Discussion over the course of the afternoon meeting centred on the main topics of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention, Slovakia is obligated to submit periodic reports to the Committee on how it is protecting children's rights. An 8-member Slovak delegation was on hand throughout the day to present the report and to answer experts' queries.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 4 October, it will take up the report of the Comoros (document CRC/C/28/Add.13).
Discussion
In response to follow-up queries put by Committee experts, the members of the Slovak delegation said, among other things, that they had no knowledge of any reservations made by the Government on article 7 of the Convention regarding the registration of new births and the right to a name. The issue would be put to the attention of the Government for clarification.
Education in Slovakia was free of charge, including university studies, the delegation said. However, in the future, students could be required to partially pay for their university studies. In order to improve the living conditions of the teaching staff in all learning institutions, the Government had increased its education budget by at least 7 per cent.
Children with "retarded" knowledge of the teaching language of regular schools were provided with the opportunity to attend classes in preparatory centres from the age of 6 years, the delegation said. In most cases, children with minority backgrounds benefited from such programmes. Individual attention was given to those children so that they could learn the language.
Since 1990, ethics had been made a subject in all schools as an experiment, the delegation said. The subject had now been introduced to teachers' training institutes so that future graduates could teach the subject.
Religious education was reintroduced in the curricula of primary and secondary schools, the delegation said. It was taught in the first four grades of primary schools as an optional subject while the teaching of religion and ethics became compulsory in the first two grades of secondary schools.
With regard to teacher-pupils relationships, the delegation said that it had been difficult for teachers to deal with Roma children. However, the Government was supporting teachers in their efforts and the situation was improving.
Students were encouraged to continue their studies once they completed their compulsory education, the delegation said. The Government also encouraged them to learn practical skills and apprenticeship types of professional work before starting work. In addition, the Government stressed the importance of qualified workers in many areas of work.
Roma children were also encouraged to complete secondary education and were discouraged from dropping out of school, the delegation said. The Government had also provided the possibility for Roma students to join the university. Cultural education in music was given to Roma students in addition to the teaching of their language. There were Roma children among the children's parliament of Slovakia.
The delegation said that the prohibition of corporal punishment had been regulated by the law, but the issue concerning the education of children without inflicting corporal punishment was problematic. Corporal punishment which resulted in bodily harm could be considered as a criminal act. In schools, such violence from corporal punishment was strictly prohibited.
Child neglect and child abuse existed in Slovakia, the delegation said. Child sexual abuse and child pornography had been problematic and needed international cooperation. In addition, drug abuse and petty theft were also committed by children. However, the incidents of juvenile crimes were not on the rise. The Government had taken measures to combat the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency and criminality.
Preliminary Remarks
A Committee expert said that the dialogue with the delegation had been professional and constructive. The Committee understood that Slovakia was a young Republic and had economic difficulties. Slovakia had a good infrastructure of legislation concerning child rights and individual rights. The general public opinion should be positive in treating Roma children. The Committee recommended, among other things, the strengthening of the coordination of the protection of the rights of children; that establishment of an office of an ombudsman was essential; that de facto discrimination of Roma children in many sectors of the society should be avoided; that the views of children should be included in programmes concerning them; and that cases of discrimination should be monitored.
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