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1. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee requests that the Government provide, in its next report, indications of the way in which the improvement of standards of living is regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development within the strategy to combat poverty (Article 2 of the Convention). In this regard, the Committee reminds the Government that, pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Convention, "all policies shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the population".

2. Part VI. Education and training. The Committee notes the information submitted by the Government in February 2004, which includes a copy of the 1997 decree on the organization of the education system in the Republic of Guinea. The Committee notes, in particular, article 6 thereof, which provides for compulsory schooling from 6 to 16 years of age. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the minimum working age and the conditions of employment are laid down by section 5 of the Labour Code, which stipulates that an employment contract can only be given to an individual of 16 years of age or over. Furthermore, when ratifying Convention No. 138 (ratification registered on 6 June 2003), the Government specified that the minimum age for admission to employment was 16. The Committee requests that the Government provide, in its next report on the application of Convention No. 117, information on the measures taken to progressively develop education, vocational training and apprenticeship and to prepare children and young persons of both sexes for a useful occupation (Article 15, paragraph 1). Please also specify the laws or regulations prohibiting the employment of children during school hours, in accordance with Article 15, paragraph 3, of the Convention.