presence of displaced persons from neighbouring countries and the prevalence of tuberculosis consequently remains very high. 188. Regarding the fight against malaria, coordinated and parallel actions to distribute insecticide-treated nets to populations and vector control activities conducted in most parts of the country have contributed to a substantial reduction in breeding grounds under surveillance. This has resulted in a significant decline in the spread of this disease and the country is leaning towards initiatives to eliminate malaria. 4. Right to education and rights of individuals to participate in cultural activities Article 17 1. Everyone has the right to education. 2. Every individual may freely take part in the cultural life of his community. 3. The promotion and protection of morals and traditional values recognized by the community shall be the duty of the State. 189. Over the past ten years, the right to education has been considered a national priority by successive governments. The 2000 Framework Act on the education system in Djibouti endorsed this determination to ensure access to education for all children by introducing the requirement for children between the ages of 6 and 16 years to attend school and receive free basic education. 190. The Republic of Djibouti allocates significant funds to finance the education sector, between 22.2% and almost 30% of the national budget during the 2000-2009 period, supplemented by substantial support from partners and financiers. Promotion of education is considered a real investment in the poverty reduction strategy. 191. In the formal education system, implementation of several Education action plans (PAE) from 2001 to 2012 has led to concrete actions (greater supply through construction and equipment of schools, adoption of incentives for girls’ education and reduction of regional disparities…) for the realization of the right to education for all and helped improve indicator levels in this sector over the past years. 192. The State has adopted the following measures to ensure effective implementation of various reforms in the education system, particularly the principles of compulsory attendance and free basic education: - Implementation of the book publishing policy for the development of school textbooks that are financially accessible and adapted to the national socio-cultural context; - Distribution of school supplies; - Ensuring sustainability of school canteens with the support of the FAO; - Provision of free books and transport allowance to orphans and vulnerable children; 38