E/C.12/PAK/CO/1 (e) Progressively eliminate social segregation in the education system by ensuring an education of equal quality to all children in all public and private schools. Human rights education 83. The Committee notes the contribution that madrassas have at times made to enhance access to education, particularly for disadvantaged and marginalized children, and the efforts made by the State party to close down a number of radical madrassas and to regulate the remaining ones. The Committee is, however, concerned at repeated reports that the curricula of some madrassas do not provide any education other than that based on the Qur’an and have content that may incite hatred against religious and ethnic minorities. It is also concerned that some textbooks and curricula used in Sindh and Punjab contain stereotyped images of religious and ethnic minorities (arts. 13-14). 84. The Committee recommends that the State party monitor school curricula and textbooks, as well as practices in schools, at all levels, including in madrassas, to ensure that they promote the full development of the human personality of students. It also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to reform madrassas. It further recommends that the State party incorporate human rights education in school curricula with a view to strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Furthermore, it recommends that the State party take appropriate measures to raise awareness among the public of human rights and, in particular, to raise the awareness of religious leaders of human rights and of their role in promoting understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious groups. Cultural rights and linguistic diversity 85. While noting that more than 80 languages are spoken in Pakistan and that some of these languages are taught at schools in addition to Urdu and English, the Committee is concerned that frequently the mother tongues of students are not allowed as a medium of instruction in schools and that about 28 languages are in danger of extinction (arts. 13-15). 86. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to ensure that students are taught in their mother tongue at school, particularly at the primary level, to preserve those languages at high risk of extinction and to promote linguistic diversity. Access to the Internet 87. The Committee is concerned at the very low level of Internet access in the country, especially in rural areas (art. 15). 88. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to improve access to the Internet, especially in rural areas. D. Other recommendations 89. The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 90. The Committee recommends that the State party consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 91. The Committee recommends that the State party take fully into account its obligations under the Covenant and ensure the full enjoyment of the rights enshrined therein in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the national level, with international assistance and cooperation when needed. Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals would be significantly facilitated by the State party establishing independent mechanisms to monitor progress and 14

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