and for international adoptions monitoring is undertaken through the Geneva office of civil
protection. Despite its recommendation, the Committee observes that the State Party has not
ratified The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of InterCountry Adoption.
The Committee also notes that, the Government, supported by development partners, has put in
place national case management system and programs, such as the social cash transfer to reach
vulnerable children including child headed families. Nevertheless, the Committee observes that
the cash transfer is not taking place currently due to budgetary and fiscal limitations.
Though the State Party has decided to move from dormitory residential care to family unit based
residential facility; however, the Committee was informed that this has not been implemented.
With support of other stakeholders, the State Party launched a campaign to promote foster care,
nevertheless its implementation, the Committee notes, has been impaired by the high-level
poverty that people in the State Party are facing.
The Committee was informed that residential care facilities are not getting their grants from the
Government and unregistered care facilities are proliferating. Moreover, the existing residential
care centers have poor standards and are overcrowded. In addition, the Committee was informed
that there is lack of regular and proper monitoring of residential care facilities due to lack of
sufficient probation officers.
7.6.
Health and welfare
The Committee notes, the State Party has established integrated case management at
community level to prevent and address acute malnutrition and other illnesses. The
Committee further notes that the Government is trying to make health coverage available
at community level.
Concerning teenage pregnancy, the Committee was informed that sexual reproductive
health education is provided in schools.
The Committee also notes that the Disability Act is undergoing revision and the National
Disability Policy is progressing. Currently the provision of inclusive education is subject
to available resources.
7.7.
Education and leisure
While it is noted that the budget for the education sector has increased significantly in
2019 as compared to 2018, the discussions have informed the Committee that that
substantial part of the budget goes to administrative costs.
The Committee notes the existence of a Governmental policy that provides that children
should do pre-primary education before enrolling in primary education.
However, from the various discussions, the Committee notes that there are a large
number of out of school children whose exact number remains unknown as there is no
updated assessment.
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