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Repetition

Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the report received in August 2013 in which the Government indicates that the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), whose main role is to provide quality vocational education and training, has adopted a new system of competence-based education and training. This, according to the Government, has contributed to the effective coordination, coherence and effectiveness of relevant programmes and policies. The Government further indicates that for the effective provision of education and training, VETA is guided by different sectoral policies including the National Employment Policy 2008. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report updated information on the existing methods for developing comprehensive and coordinated policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training, indicating the manner in which they are linked to employment and to public employment service. Please also indicate the manner in which the new system of competence-based education and training adopted by VETA contributes to employment creation.

Article 3. Coverage by the vocational training system of vulnerable groups. In its report, the Government provides statistical information which confirms that enrolment of girls in all levels of education has improved. The Committee notes with interest that enrolment of technical and vocational education and training increased by 32.2 per cent from 85,040 in 2010 to 112,447 in 2012, out of which female students increased from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 47.9 per cent in 2012. The Committee also notes that participation of students with disabilities in technical and vocational education and training represents 19 per cent of the total enrolment. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing detailed information on the measures taken to increase gender-balanced access to education and training and to encourage women to develop and use their professional abilities in all branches of economic activity and at all levels of skill and responsibility. The Government is also requested to indicate the measures taken to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for individuals with specific needs, such as young persons, rural workers, workers in the informal economy, and the other categories of vulnerable persons identified in Paragraph 5(h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that a new comprehensive policy that will harmonize issues related to technical and vocational education and training is being developed. The process of developing this policy is and will be highly consultative involving all stakeholders. The Committee invites the Government to continue supplying information on the measures adopted to ensure the collaboration of the social partners and other interested bodies in formulating and implementing education and training policies and programmes. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report a copy of the policy if adopted and implemented.