Right to education: first mission to Kazakhstan

GENEVA. September 10. KAZINFORM The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Kishore Singh, will visit Kazakhstan from 12 to 20 September 2011 to collect first-hand information on the situation of education in the country, with special focus on the authorities' efforts to guarantee quality education and to ensure equality of opportunity in education.

photo: QAZINFORM

"Education plays a central role in the empowerment of individuals and communities," said Mr. Singh, who will visit Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Government. "Investment in an inclusive education system that responds to the needs of the most marginalized groups is crucial to consolidate democracy and to ensure that everyone enjoys the benefits of economic development," the press release of the United Nations reads.

During his first visit to the country, the UN special rapporteur will hold meetings with senior Government officials including the Minister of Education and Science. He will also meet UN representatives, the donor community and non-governmental organizations. During his mission, Mr. Singh will visit education institutions in Astana and Almaty.

Based on findings and discussions during the visit, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a report and make recommendations on strengthening the education system in a human rights perspective and on advancing the right to education. This report will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in June 2012.

Mr. Singh will host a press conference to share his preliminary conclusions and observations on Tuesday 20 September 2011 at 10.00 at the U.N. building (Bukeykhan Str. 26).

Learn more about the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Education/SREducation/Pages/SREducationIndex.aspx