After the Geneva Roundtable in 2007, Niger presented its poverty eradication programme
to development partners who committed themselves to providing their support. An
infrastructure management committee was established in rural areas. While craftsmen
were trained in the manufacture of parts; other agents were trained to repair any possible
breakdowns.
In the domain of sanitation, paved roads and drains were built for the evacuation of waste
water.
However, a review is underway to mainstream gender.
VII.
EDUCATION, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
a) Education, including professional training and supervision (art.11)
a1. Legislative, administrative and judicial measures
Education being a national priority, the State took measures on the legislative,
administrative and judicial fronts.
Article 19 of the Constitution, enshrining the right to education, stipulates that parents have
the right and duty of rearing and educating their children, being supported in this
endeavour by the State and local governments. Thus, prime responsibility falls on parents
who must then be supported by the State and public collectivities.
This constitutional guarantee is buttressed by the following instruments:
Law No. 98-12 enacted on 1 June 1998 related to the orientation of Niger
education system and referred to as Orientation Law of the Niger Education
System (LOSEN). It governs the whole education system (education,
training). Section 7 of LOSEN provides that: “Education shall be
compulsory for any Niger citizen without discrimination sex, race or
religion”.
This law imposes on the State the duty to make primary education compulsory for children
aged 4 to 16. Lastly, it forbids the exclusion or withdrawal of children (girls and boys) from
school before age 16, for whatever the reason.
The Accelerated „Education for All‟ Programme (EPT/PA) whose goal is to
ensure basic education to adolescents and adults, as defined by the World
Conference on Education for All, held in Thailand in 1990.
The Ministry of Basic Education and Illiteracy has crafted a programme for the period
2003-2012 which comprises:
the construction of class rooms;
the recruitment of teaching and contract staff.
Its implementation is threefold:
accelerate enrolments;
reduce illiteracy;
improve the quality of teaching and training.
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