malnutrition and lack of health care, as a result of lengthy and, in some cases, indefinite immigration detention (arts. 2, 11 and 12). The Committee recommends that the State party: Increase its efforts to remedy prison overcrowding, in particular by instituting alternatives to custodial sentences; Ensure that asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are detained only when absolutely necessary and that the time of detention is limited to a strict minimum; Ensure adequate living conditions in detention centres, provide adequate access to health care, including reproductive and sexual health care, and combat malnutrition by increasing the resources allocated to this end, including through international cooperation and assistance. Right to health The Committee notes the achievement of the State party in implementing its universal health-care scheme since 2002. The Committee is concerned, however, that the scheme does not adequately cover disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, including persons with disabilities and persons living in remote rural areas. It is also concerned that stateless persons, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees still face obstacles in accessing basic health-care services. The Committee is further concerned that the quality of health care is negatively affected by overcrowding in provincial hospitals, as recognized by the State party (art. 12). The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to address the remaining obstacles to access to the universal health-care scheme, in particular for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and to ensure good quality health care. Sexual and reproductive health The Committee is concerned that the rate of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions is relatively high and adolescents have limited access to sexual and reproductive health education and services (art. 12). The Committee recommends that the State party take preventive measures to address the problem of the high rate of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions, strengthen sexual and reproductive health education programmes that are age appropriate for both boys and girls and ensure the accessibility, availability and affordability of sexual and reproductive health services. Pollution and health care The Committee is concerned at shortcomings in the effective implementation of regulations on environmental quality and industrial activity to prevent harm (art. 12). The Committee reminds the State party of its obligations under article 12 (2) (b) of the Covenant and recommends that the State party take steps to regulate environmental protection comprehensively and ensure strict enforcement of its environmental legislation, so as to prevent harmful effects on the health of the population. Access of drug users to health and treatment The Committee is concerned that compulsory treatment and detention have adverse effects on the health of drug users, including increased infection of HIV and hepatitis and on their reluctance to seeking treatment (art. 12). The Committee recommends that the State party apply a human rights-based and evidence-informed approach to drug abuse, which should include preventive measures, harm-reduction programmes and the provision of appropriate health care, psychological support and rehabilitation. Right to education The Committee notes the adoption in 2009 of the 15-year free education programme for all. The Committee is concerned, however, at the overall low quality of education, the significant upper secondary school dropout rates and remaining obstacles to access to education for certain groups, including children with disabilities, children from minority ethnic groups and children living in remote rural areas, as well as for stateless children and the children of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. The Committee is also concerned that despite pilot projects being carried out, access to bilingual education for members of minority ethnic groups remains limited in the State party (arts. 13 and 14). The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to ensure that all children under its jurisdiction effectively have access to free basic primary education. The State party should also address the reasons why children drop out of school and improve the overall quality of education, including by ensuring that teachers are well trained and fully qualified. Moreover, the Committee encourages the State party to increase its efforts to provide bilingual education from the early years and continue to facilitate, including through allocating necessary resources, community-based education programmes in line with the cultures of ethnic groups. Situation in the southern border provinces The Committee expresses concern at the reports of attacks on teachers and schools, as well as medical personnel, in the southern