Girls’ Education
ISSUE Routine statistics show almost universal enrolment (97%) to primary education. However, the drop out rate in the primary school is high. Some children only enroll to first grade. Children with special needs, children from disadvantaged ethnic minorities, particularly Roma, and migrant populations, children from remote villages, isolated communities and from urban slums, and children of poor families are particularly affected. Proper monitoring system needs to be established. Social discrimination of women exists as more or less hidden phenomenon. According to 1991 Census, women have less education than men. Almost 40 per cent of women aged 15-year or older had not completed primary school, while 14.3% had no education at all. The illiteracy rate is higher among women (10.7%, in comparison to 6.7% on average). Dropout of girls in primary education is still 2 per cent higher than that of boys. Desegregated data indicate that discrimination against girls is up to 80% higher than that of boys for the reason of poverty, developmental disorders, ethnic background (like Roma or Vlasi). The primary school system and facilities are often “non girl-friendly”, which is a big impediment to girls’ education. Poor quality of education is reflected in students’ low achievements. About 50% of students master less than 30% of essential knowledge. Teaching methods are often outdated and not student-friendly. This is raising drop out rate further. ACTION UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education in Serbia as well as the local authorities and professionals in their capacity building to ensure that basic learning needs and potentials of all children are met and sustained, so that they can improve their lives and transform their societies. As a part of the National plan of Action, UNICEF supports Government of Serbia and the Ministry of Education in setting up policies with integrative approach in line with international standards and commitments to ensure equal access to quality education for all children. Through establishing linkage between formal and non formal education and awareness raising campaigns, UNICEF promote equal rights to education for all children and contribute to development of national capacities to understand and respect children’s rights. UNICEF also promote development of partnership among all stakeholders for children and comprehensive, intersectoral cooperation. IMPACT
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