social, economic and physical status. The implementation of these action plans aims to promote equity in terms of access, retention and completion for all children.31 125. The "National Gender Policy" emphasises the improvement of the socio-cultural status of women with a view to eliminating cultural barriers to the advancement of women, including access of girls to education in the same way as the boy. To fulfil its commitments, the Government has continued to apply the free school fees measure to primary education in order to achieve the goal of universal education, including children from poor families. 126. In terms of the laws regulating the education sector, the Government has, in addition to the Constitution, the law on the organisation of basic and secondary education.32 It advocates for a planned school in the short and long term, a decentralised school and a more equitable school. In addition, the Revised Penal Code of 2009 provides for the punishment of offenses that seriously undermine the dignity of girls and women, such as rape, sexual and gender-based violence. 127. The elaboration and implementation of the 2012-2020 Education and Training Development Sector Plan has made it possible to introduce reforms within the Burundian education system, notably the effective implementation of the basic school since the beginning of the academic year 2013-2014. This reform has made considerable progress. Progress achieved by sub sectors  Pre-school education 128. At pre-school education level, the PSDEF provides for the development of early childhood in three areas namely:33 (i) The increase and diversification of preschool provision for children aged 4 to 6, (ii) Awareness and education of parents for the support to 0-3 years (iii) as well as the improvement of learning. Children in pre-school education account for about 10% of children aged 4 to 6 years. 129. The plan for 2020 is to welcome 50% of children in this age group (4 to 6 years): 87% will be educated in community institutions and 10% in public institutions through the implementation of actions and awareness raising measures but also through subsidies to community institutions. Table I of appendix 2 in relation to education provides information on the results achieved up to November 15, 2014 at level of education.  Basic education 31 Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Vocational Education, Vocational Training and Literacy. Gender Strategy Paper, p.3 32 33 Law n° 1/19 du 10 septembre 2013 on the organisation of basic and secondary education in Burundi PSDEF, p. 38-39 31

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