E/C.12/GRC/CO/2
awareness-raising activities, taking into account the spread of HIV infection beyond
the original risk groups and providing adequate funding for its prevention activities,
including for needle and syringe exchange programmes.
Inclusive education for children with disabilities
39.
Despite measures taken by the State party, including Law No. 4115/2013, which
facilitates the integration of students with special education needs in mainstream schools,
the Committee is concerned at reports indicating that the enrolment rate of children with
disabilities in schools is extremely low and that only 15 per cent of children with
disabilities go to school (arts. 13 and 2 (2)).
40.
The Committee recommends that the State party collect data, disaggregated by
sex and national or ethnic origin, on the school enrolment and drop-out rates of
children with disabilities at various levels of education, to identify obstacles to
accessing and continuing education and to devise appropriate strategies. The State
party should also ensure that all children with disabilities have access to quality and
inclusive education.
Education for Roma children
41.
Despite the positive measures taken by the State party, including the education
priority zones project, the Committee expresses its concern at reports of a low rate of
enrolment, low levels of school attendance and a high drop-out rate among, and de facto
segregation of, Roma children in special schools (arts. 13 and 2 (2)).
42.
The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to address
the insufficient level of education of Roma and immediately take measures to increase
the attendance rates of Roma students and their retention in school by, inter alia,
providing sufficient comprehensive measures to cover education-related expenses and
raising awareness of the importance of education among Roma families. The
Committee also recommends that the State party abolish procedures that lead to the
de facto segregation of Roma pupils.
Access to the Internet
43.
The Committee expresses its concern about the limited access to the Internet among
certain disadvantaged and marginalized groups (art. 15).
44.
The Committee recommends that the State party continue to expand the
availability of the Internet throughout the country, and that it facilitate access to the
Internet, and to other scientific and technological advances, for disadvantaged and
marginalized groups, in order to enhance their enjoyment of economic, social and
cultural rights.
D.
Other recommendations
45.
The Committee encourages the State party to ratify the Optional Protocol to
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
46.
The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding
observations widely at all levels of society, particularly among parliamentarians,
public officials and judicial authorities, and to inform the Committee in its next
periodic report about the steps taken to implement them. It also encourages the State
party to engage non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society in
9