CMNT_TITLE

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) - Paraguay (RATIFICATION: 2004)

Other comments on C138

Observation

Direct Request

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Article 2(3) of the Convention. Age of completion of compulsory schooling. The Committee previously noted that Act No. 4088 of 13 September 2010 establishes free compulsory basic education (6–14 years). It also noted the adoption of the National Education Plan 2024 and the Updated Strategic Education Plan 2020. However, it observed that the net primary school enrolment rate (6–11 years) had fallen sharply (from 96 per cent in 1999 to 85 per cent in 2010). Moreover, the proportion of children of primary school age not attending school has increased over recent years, rising to 16 per cent in 2011.

The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain information on the results achieved through the plans referred to above. However, it notes the Government’s indication in its report that it has developed various strategies with a view to increasing school attendance. For example, it has established a school food programme, a programme of study grants and various types of action to improve the skills and evaluate the performance of teachers. The Committee also notes, from the Government’s report of 12 November 2015 to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that, with a view to achieving universal school enrolment, the Government has established a programme for the distribution of school supply kits in the public sector and adopted Act No. 5210/14 on food at school and health checks (CEDAW/C/PRY/7, paragraph 65). While noting the Government’s efforts to increase the school attendance rate and reduce school drop-outs, the Committee encourages the Government to intensify its efforts in this respect to ensure that at least all children under 14 years of age have access to basic compulsory education. It requests that the Government provide information on the results achieved in this connection, particularly through the strategies referred to above, and the implementation of the National Education Plan 2024 and the Updated Strategic Education Plan 2020. The Committee also requests that the Government provide recent statistics on the school attendance rate.

Article 8. Artistic performances. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that parents give their children special permission to be involved in artistic performances. It observed that such parental authorization is not sufficient under the terms of Article 8 of the Convention. In this regard, the Secretariat for Children and Young Persons (SNNA) has considered that it is necessary to establish rules governing activities by children and young persons in the context, not only of artistic performances, but also of sporting events.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Executive Unit of the Regional Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour in MERCOSUR countries has approved a declaration on artistic work by children, without providing further details on the content of the declaration. The Committee once again requests that the Government take the necessary measures to ensure that children under 14 years of age who participate in artistic performances only do so on the basis of individual authorizations granted by the competent authorities, which limit the number of hours of work and the conditions in which it is authorized, in accordance with Article 8 of the Convention. It also requests that the Government provide detailed information on the content of the declaration approved by the Executive Unit of the Regional Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour.