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Marshall Islands - Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under Article 44 of the Convention: Second periodic reports of States parties due in 2000 [2005] UNCRCSPR 34; CRC/C/93/Add.8 (24 August 2005)
UNITED NATIONS
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CRC
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|
Convention on the Rights of the Child
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Distr. GENERAL
CRC/C/93/Add.8 24 August 2005
Original: ENGLISH
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COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
CONSIDERATION OF
REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE
CONVENTION
Second periodic reports of States parties due in 2000
MARSHALL ISLANDS* **
[7
December 2004]
* For the initial report submitted by the Government of Marshall Islands,
see CRC/C/28/Add.12; for its consideration by the Committee,
see documents
CRC/C/SR.559, 660, 669 and CRC/C/15/Add.139.
** This document has not
been edited before being submitted for translation.
GE.05-43711 (E) 011205
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
Introduction 1 - 21 4
I. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION 22 - 47 7
A. Measures taken to harmonize national law
with the Convention 22
- 26 7
B. Mechanisms for coordination of policies
related to children 27 -
35 9
C. Measures taken to ensure the economic, social
and cultural rights
of the child 36 - 43 10
D. Measures taken to increase public knowledge
about the CRC 44 -
47 12
II. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD 48 12
III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 49 - 57 12
A. Non-discrimination 49 - 52 12
B. Best interests of the child 53 - 54 13
C. Respect for the views of the child 55 - 57 13
IV. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 58 - 69 14
A. Birth registration 58 - 62 14
B. Access to appropriate information 63 - 66 14
C. Corporal punishment 67 - 69 15
V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE 70 - 86 16
A. Adoption 70 - 74 16
B. Parental responsibility and child protection 75 - 86 17
CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
VI. BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE 87 - 151 19
A. Health status and services 87 - 114 19
B. Malnutrition 115 - 122 23
C. Children with disabilities 123 - 130 25
D. Adolescent health and development 131 - 151 26
VII. EDUCATION, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES 152 - 186 30
A. Education 152 - 185 30
B. Leisure 186 37
VIII. SPECIAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES 187 37
IX. CONCLUDING COMMENTS 188 37
Introduction
Background and purpose of report
- The
Republic of the Marshall Islands ratified the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (CRC) in 1993. The Committee on the Rights
of the Child (the Committee)
received the Government’s First Report on Implementation in
November 1998 and considered it in September 2000; the Committee’s
Concluding Observations were received in October 2000.
- The
purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the:
- Overall status
of children in the Marshall Islands;
- Measures taken
by government and civil society to address issues of concern identified in the
First Report and Concluding Observations;
- Factors impeding
implementation of the Committee’s recommendations and plans to address
constraints.
- This
report will also be used as a tool to create greater awareness within government
and civil society about CRC implementation requirements
and progress to date.
For this reason, specific articles are referenced to ensure local readers have
adequate understanding of the
principles and expectations of the
Convention.
- In
conjunction with the updated Situation Analysis of Children, Youth and Women
in the Marshall Islands (2003), this report will be used to formulate a
National Policy and Action Plan for Children in early 2004.
Report preparation
- In
1991, Government established the National Nutrition Children’s Council
(NNCC) to coordinate interventions for children and
to monitor and report on
implementation of the CRC. The NNCC, assisted by an ad hoc sub-committee made
up of government and NGO
representatives, was responsible for preparation of
this report.
- The
report incorporates information obtained from stakeholder workshops and draws on
a wide range of published and unpublished documents.
UNICEF Pacific provided
technical assistance in compilation and analysis of data. While the report
primarily deals with the period
1995-2000, some references are made to study
results and statistical comparisons that extend beyond this timeframe especially
in
relation to information provided in the Government’s response to the
List of Issues.
- The
process of completing this report has reinforced the critical role of the NNCC
in advocating for vulnerable children and the importance
of improved
coordination and interagency collaboration.
Country update
- The
Committee is asked to refer to the First Report on Implementation for a
description of the people, culture, economy and political structure of Marshall
Islands. A brief update on population and
development trends is provided
below.
Population profile
- The
total land area of the Marshall Islands is 81 square km, scattered over
almost 2 million square kilometres of ocean mid-way between
Hawaii and
the Philippines. According to the 1999 census the population of Marshall
Islands is 50,840, with about 70 percent of
people living in the
capital, Majuro Atoll or on Kwajalein Atoll (Ebeye Island). Of this
number, 23,676 reside in Majuro, mostly
crowded in an administrative and
commercial centre of 0.51 square miles: the population density is 3,200
people per square mile.
In 1999, 10,902 people resided in Ebeye on
0.14 square miles of land with a density factor of 66,750 persons per
square mile. The remainder of the population live in outer island
communities of 50 to 800 people scattered across a vast expanse of the
North
Pacific.
- The
urbanization of Ebeye began in the late 1940’s with the development of
Kwajalein Atoll as a logistical support centre for
the United States
Department of Defence. Others migrated to Ebeye because contamination, nuclear
fall out and mission testing made
their islands inhabitable. The population of
Majuro and Ebeye continue to grow as people come in search of employment and
services;
the 1999 Census indicates the migration rate to urban centers is
5.6 percent, up from 45.3 percent at the time of the 1988 Census.
- From
1980 to 1999, the population of RMI increased by 65 percent. Allowing for the
migration factor (Marshallese have free access
to the US), the actual growth
rate for the period 1989 to 1999 was estimated at 1.5 percent, down from
4.2 percent from the 1988
Census. This represents a significant decrease in the
population growth rate from the previous Census. This change is attributed
to a
decline in the fertility rate and massive emigration involving families with
young children. According to the 1999 Census,
the age structure of the Marshall
Island has also shifted significantly over the last decade. In 1988,
approximately 51 percent
of the population comprised children less than 15 years
of age whereas in 1999, this age group represented only 43 percent of the
total
population.
Changes in population demographics, 1988-1999
|
1988
|
1999
|
Population
|
43 380
|
50 840
|
Population under 15
|
51.0 %
|
42.9 %
|
Urban population
|
64.5 %
|
65.2 %
|
Populations density (persons per square mile)
|
619
|
726
|
Rate of natural increase
|
4.08 %
|
3.69 %
|
Total number of households
|
4 924
|
6 478
|
Average size of households
|
8.7
|
7.8
|
Dependency ratio
|
117.1 %
|
82.2 %
|
Median age of population
|
14.0
|
17.8
|
- Despite
the decreased growth rate, our youthful population poses immense challenges for
the provision of employment, services and
infrastructure in the short to medium
term.
Economy and employment
- There
has been no real growth in the Marshall Islands economy since independence;
limited access to credit and low workforce skills
are considered major barriers
to private sector activity. The continuing decline in the price of
copra—the economic mainstay
of the outer islands—has negatively
impacted local and national economies. The labour force is expected to grow
much faster
than wage employment in coming years, posing immense challenges for
young people and society as a whole.
- The
domestic economy continues to be heavily dependent on US Compact funds for
recurrent budget expenditures and development programs;
many families rely on
nuclear compensation payments as their only source of income. Recent studies
indicate a growing gap between
the richest and poorest groups in society caused
by the concentration of highly paid public servant positions in urban areas, the
continuing decline in the price of copra and the lack of low-skilled jobs
nationwide. Rural inequality is also increasing because
most benefits derived
from the US Compact and Federal Funds favour urban development, while nuclear
compensation and lease payments
benefit select individuals and communities.
- Results
of the 1999 Census raised concern over escalating unemployment figures.
Given the population growth rate, there is a need
to create an estimated
600-700 new jobs or selfemployment opportunities a year just to maintain the
current level of employment.
Unless there is a substantial change in the
economic situation, the potential for new jobs is estimated to be in the range
of 100-300
a year.
Achievements and challenges
- Due
to the concerted efforts by both government and non-government agencies, there
has been a significant improvement in the population’s
overall health and
education status during the past decade. This is evident by increased life
expectancy at birth and a significant
reduction in mortality rates. School
enrolment numbers have also increased and initiatives are underway to upgrade
teacher qualifications
and ensure schools are properly maintained, supported and
resourced. Efforts were made to establish local health and education committees
in the outer islands to assume ownership for maintenance of schools and
dispensaries. To address the shortage of trained Marshallese
needed to deal
with psychosocial problems, a certificate program in counselling was established
at the College of the Marshall Islands.
Adoption legislation was passed to
ensure the best interests of the child is paramount in all placement decisions,
and a Child Rights
Office was established within the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Social Welfare to serve as the focal point for children. Plans
are
underway to draft a National Policy and Action Plan for Children and to review
the mandate of the National Nutrition and Children’s
Council.
- Despite
these initiatives and achievements, children’s survival and development
needs continue to exceed the country’s
capacity. Small population centres
and geographic isolation are a barrier to equitable distribution of development
resources and
efficient delivery of public services. Access to education and
health services, food and household supplies, electricity, water
and sanitation,
waste management and transportation remain key concerns for outer island
communities. The Marshall Islands continues
to face enormous challenges caused
by rapid population growth, accelerated sea-level rise, the legacy of nuclear
testing, localized
pollution of over-crowded islands, limited economic potential
and environmental devastation.
- As
the pressures of the cash economy mount, stress and conflict within families is
rising, with more households unable to meet their
requirements. Rapid
urbanization and strong identification with American culture have contributed to
young people’s confused
sense of identity and a growing sense of social
unrest. As the Marshall Islands continues to move from a subsistence economy to
a cash economy, adherence to traditional social values and structures is
diminishing.
- Suicide,
juvenile crime, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and the emergence of youth gangs
are indicators of underlying problems and
unmet needs. As times get tougher in
the Marshall Islands, migration to the US is being seen by many parents as the
best way to
secure a promising future for their children. While the Government
has developed a range of services in response to these issues,
more can be done
to meet the needs of young people and families.
- The
Government acknowledges the immense contribution of Churches and NGOs in
providing education and social services for young people
and believes that
cross-sector partnerships are essential to promoting and protecting the rights
of children.
- It
is clear the National Nutrition Children’s Council (NNCC) has a critical
role to play in advocacy and coordination for children.
An updated National
Policy and Plan of Action for Children is considered essential to improved
planning and monitoring of outcomes
for children.
II. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION
A. Measures taken to harmonize national law with the
Convention
- The
Government remains committed to further harmonization of our national laws with
the CRC. Toward this end, the following legislative
actions have been taken or
are currently under review.
- The Birth,
Registration and Marriage Registration Act has been amended. This Act requires
naming of the child’s father, regardless of marital status. The Act also
raises the legal
age of marriage for girls from 16 years to 18 years to be
consistent with the age requirements for boys;
- The Sale of
Tobacco to Minors Act, passed by Parliament in 2003 (Public Law 2003101),
prohibits the selling, distribution and use
of cigarettes and tobacco products
to persons below the age of eighteen;
- Child Abuse and
Neglect Legislation (Public Law 1991-207) provides for the mandatory reporting
and investigation of actual and suspected
cases of child abuse and neglect,
including physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal/psychological abuse, medical
neglect, nutritional
neglect and abandonment;
- The Education
Act, when amended will make education compulsory for all children between the
ages of four and fourteen. The law will also make parents,
custodians and
guardians responsible for ensuring that children are enrolled in and attending
school;
- The amended
Criminal Code prescribes sexual relations with a person below the age of
eighteen as a sex crime and sexual abuse and
subject to full punishment under
the law. The amended law also prohibits the use of corporal punishment against
children as a disciplinary
measure;
- The Minimum
Conditions Inquiry Act, also known as the Child Labour Law has been amended to
prohibit employment of a person under the
age of eighteen;
- The Adoption
Act, passed by Parliament in 2002 ensures the protection of children and
indigenous families through institutionalization of legal safeguards,
counselling processes
and creation of a supervisory agency.
- Research
has been conducted on current laws on domestic violence. This report highlights
protections for women and children found
in the Bill of Rights and Criminal Code
and outlines the legal processes followed when police receive reports of
domestic violence.
The report concludes there is sufficient protection for
women in the Marshall Islands under both legal and customary systems, providing
these systems operate as intended.
- While
protections provided by custom to women and children are unwritten, in the past
they were well understood and enforced. As
a result of urbanisation and
modernization however, traditional systems have weakened such that enforcement
of customary protection
is no longer consistent or dependable. The research
states that a central issue in addressing domestic violence is the lack of
clarity
between customary and legal resolution processes. While a dual system
of protection should offer ample safeguards, there is concern
that victims get
caught in the space between systems, with the result that neither process is
consistently effective.
- With
respect to dealing with juvenile offenders, the RMI Police that all possible
care not to allow juveniles to associate with incarcerated
adults. However, the
lack of a detention facility, as required by legislation, poses problems when
incarceration is warranted.
In minor offences, the police attempt to facilitate
out-of-court settlement and counselling for the offender and his/her family
whenever
possible.
- When
completing social history reports on juveniles for Court purposes, police
generally recommend young persons be discharged and
placed under the care of a
parent or close relative, or under the supervision of the Probation Officer for
a specified period. By
law, children cannot be sent to prison; juvenile
offenders are legally entitled to be treated with as much leniency as possible.
However, where circumstances warrant immediate custodial sentence they end up
mingling with adults and hardened criminals. Imprisoning
juveniles in the same
place as adult prisoners has been a serious concern for several years.
B. Mechanisms for coordination of policies related to
children
- A
public sector reform program (PSRP) was initiated in the 1990s to downsize the
service and streamline costs, resulting in about
a one third reduction in staff
from 1996 to 2000. The PSRP also resulted in the elimination of the Ministry of
Social Services with
remaining services transferred to the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, the current focal point for children, youth and women.
- In
late 1999, the position of “CRC Focal Point” was established in the
Ministry of Internal Affairs and an Officer was
reassigned from the Women in
Development Division. The “Child Rights Office” came into effect as
a result of the placement
of an international volunteer by UNICEF with the
Ministry. The CRC Focal Point and the international volunteer worked closely
with
the NNCC to implement the Convention and promote coordination of policies
for children. A number of Task Forces were established
to review priority child
welfare issues like child abuse/neglect and international adoption.
Implementation of recommendations from
the Adoptions Task Force was assigned to
the CRC Focal Point.
- When
the Adoption Legislation was passed and the Central Adoption Authority (CAA)
established at the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
two positions were created for
the CAA and housed at the Child Rights Office. To date, Cabinet has not
officially endorsed the Child
Rights Office, nor does it have an independent
budget. Operating expenses are currently provided through the Ministry of
Internal
Affairs’ budget. The Child Rights Coordinator is now also
responsible for CAA work.
- When
Parliament established the National Nutrition Children’s Council in August
1991, it appointed six permanent members including
the Chief Secretary
(Chairman), the Secretary of Health, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary
of Resources and Development,
the Secretary of the Interior and the Medical
Director of Public Health.
- For
administrative and political reasons, there has been considerable change at the
Secretary level over the past 10 years. At the
time of appointment, new NNCC
members generally do not have an adequate understanding of the role of the
committee or the requirements
of the CRC; orientation for new members has not
been provided. Heavy workloads, time constraints and completing demands on
Secretaries
have also hindered the operational capacity of the NNCC. As a
result, the coordination and monitoring role of the NNCC was largely
left to the
Child’s Rights Program Coordinator, working in collaboration with the NNCC
Chair.
- Through
the process of preparing this report and updating the Situation Analysis of
Children and Women, government and NGO workers
identified the following
constraints to effective coordination, advocacy and monitoring of
children’s policies and programs.
- Limited
inter-ministerial coordination and frequent redeployment of key personnel;
- Lack of a
holistic policy framework governing all aspects of children’s
well-being;
- Lack of full
legislative compliance with the CRC on laws affecting children;
- Limited
financial and human resource capacity of the NNCC;
- Limited
involvement by NGOs and Churches on the NNCC;
- Cultural
sensitivities that dissuade public discussion on issues such as domestic
violence, child abuse and reproductive health;
- The tendency to
minimize the seriousness of problems facing children;
- A sense of being
overwhelmed by the magnitude of issues that need to be addressed;
- Limited
involvement by young people in decision-making forums;
- Lack of
community-based research on health and social issues; and
- Lack of readily
accessible consolidated data on the status of children and youth.
- The
Government recognizes the need to improve the situation of children; NNCC
members believe that better coordination, advocacy and
monitoring of at-risk
children will reduce vulnerability. As such, stakeholders have recommended that
the mandate, membership and
capacity of the NNCC be reviewed, with a focus on
practical strategies to enhance the authority, accountability and transparency
of this committee. It has been suggested civil society organizations and youth
representatives participate on the NNCC; the involvement
of the Office of
Planning and Statistics could help to streamline the collection and analysis of
data on children and families.
- This
review could also consider existing policy and planning frameworks (i.e.,
National Women’s Policy, National Youth Policy,
National Plan of Action on
Nutrition, Vision 2018, education and health sector plans) and how these
strategies can be integrated into an overall National Policy and Plan of Action
for Children. The NNCC acknowledges the urgent need to develop a holistic
policy framework to improve coordination and monitoring
of children’s
status.
- Further,
there is a need to review the role and mandate of the Child Rights Office and
its’ relationship to the NNCC before
seeking endorsement from Cabinet.
C. Measures taken to ensure the economic, social
and
cultural rights of the child
- For
the Fiscal Year 2000, NNCC represented ministries received the following
allocation of the total budget: Ministry of Health and
Environment 9.3%,
Ministry of Education 14.9%, Ministry of Resources and Development 3.1% and
Ministry of Internal Affairs 3.2%.
NNCC Committee members also sit on the
national budget committee so are well positioned to advocate for appropriate
expenditure
on children and families.
- In
addition to funds allocated for children through recurrent national budgets, the
education and health sectors in particular receive
considerable financial and
technical assistance through US grants. Other international agencies also
support children’s health
and development. For instance, the Asian
Development Bank works with the Ministry of Education to upgrade and expand
school facilities
and programs, including vocational education and has supported
sectoral reviews in health and education. The ADB also supports health
and
education infrastructure development in Ebeye. The World Health Organization
has provided assistance with suicide prevention,
Reproductive Health and natural
and child health services. UNICEF had provided technical support to the
Ministry of Internal Affairs
(capacity building of the Child Rights Program and
Community Development Planning Scheme), the Ministry of Health (nutrition,
breastfeeding
and immunization) and the Ministry of Education (early childhood
education and the Teacher-Child-Parent initiative).
- A
new Compact Agreement with the US guaranteeing financial and technical
assistance for a twenty-year period ending 2023 is currently
being finalized.
The priority areas for funding under Compact II are health, education,
environmental protection, public infrastructure
development, private sector
development and public sector capacity building.
- With
respect to data collection and analysis, MOH officials are concerned about the
accuracy and reliability of statistics on disease
prevalence and causes of
morbidity and mortality. Records completed by health care workers are often
incomplete or inconsistent;
limited case histories are insufficient to enable
proper cross-sector analysis. To ensure greater accountability, Compact II
funding
requires the implementation of a performance-based monitoring system.
An improved health information management system will improve
capacity for
ongoing assessment of children’s health status. A similar system will
also be established in the Ministry of
Education to improve reporting and
assessment of enrolment and performance indicators.
- During
this period, the government successfully applied and received support for data
tracking under US Substance Abuse Prevention
and Treatment block grants. The
government also participated in a US Department of Health and Human Services
regional technical
assistance project supporting research on substance abuse,
family violence and suicide. The results of these studies are outlined
later in
the report.
- While
civil society is still in a developmental stage in the Marshall Islands, the
number and range of programs offered by NGOs is
expanding. In addition to
Church groups and NGOs with longstanding involvement in children issues (such as
the Salvation Army and
YouthtoYouth in Health) several new youth-focused groups
have recently been formed.
- The
National Youth Congress provides opportunity for young people to contribute to
local and national level development planning.
WUTMI, the largest
non-governmental and notfor-profit organization is a grassroots organization
networking and reaching out to individual
women organization throughout the 24
major communities within the Republic. At the last annual meeting, it was
suggested that a
committee be established to address children’s issues.
The recently established Marshall Islands Council of Non-Government
Organizations seeks to build capacity of local organisations, promote civil
society representation in policy dialogue and strengthen
coordination between
NGOs, government agencies and the international community. These agencies are
well positioned to work with
the NNCC to ensure the economic, social and
cultural rights of the child are addressed.
- While
the NNCC has involved NGOs on various sub-committee’s and task
forces—the Food and Nutrition Taskforce is generally
considered the
‘working arm’ of the NNCC—there is a need to amend the Cabinet
Paper to include NGOs on the NNCC.
D. Measures taken to increase public knowledge about the
CRC
- In
January 1996 the Ministry of Education published information on the rights of
children to education; this was supplemented in 1997
by a public education
campaign to increase parental involvement in schooling.
- CRC
workshops were conducted in Majuro (February 1999) and in Ebeye (May 2000) with
support from UNICEF. Since then, the Child Rights
Program Coordinator has
facilitated follow-up workshops on child rights most outer islands. These
workshops, attended by traditional
leaders, government, church and NGO
personnel, students and parents were well received. In May 2000, the NNCC
initiated meetings
on the CRC that were open to the public.
- A
colourful poster on CRC principles written in Marshallese has been produced and
distributed to schools, hospitals, health centers,
government and non-government
agencies. The booklet Facts for Life has been translated to Marshallese;
an NGO is currently preparing local illustrations prior to publication and
dissemination to schools
and youth groups.
- The
increased involvement of civil society in national and community development
efforts provides immense opportunity to engage NGOs
in promoting public
understanding of the CRC.
II. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD
- In
response to the Committee’s concern regarding the minimum age for marriage
being different from boys, the Birth, Registration
and Marriage Registration Act
has been amended. This Act requires naming of the child’s father,
regardless of marital status and raises the legal age of
marriage for girls from
16 years to 18 years, consistent with the age requirements for boys.
III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
A. Non-discrimination
- The
NNCC acknowledges the need to work more closely with the Economic Policy,
Planning and Statistics Office to ensure the collection
and analysis of
disaggregated data according to gender, location and socio-economic status.
Further use could be made of US grants
available for data tracking.
- An
initial study on disabilities in the Marshall Islands has been conducted. This
is the first in a series of studies on issues related
to persons with
disabilities to determine the types of intervention required so that these
children are not discriminated against.
- The
Government has identified the need to conduct a survey on child abuse and
neglect as the basis for further intervention in this
area. Shortcomings with
existing child abuse data is acknowledged, as only referrals to the social work
program are tracked. This
system produces limited information since
“referral” processes across and into service agencies is still not
well developed
in the Marshall Islands.
- With
the support of the Asian Development Bank, the government will conduct a
participatory poverty assessment in 2002 to identify
community perceptions of
poverty and hardship in the Marshall Islands. This study will consider the
causes of hardship in both urban
and rural areas and the adequacy of health and
education services, the availability of safe drinking water, transportation and
support
networks. It is expected that the results of this study will provide
useful guidance in prioritizing areas of greatest vulnerability.
B. Best interests of the child
- The
principle of the best interest of the child is paramount in development of
Adoption Legislation and establishment of the Central
Adoption Authority. This
Act ensures all international adoptions are processed in the RMI High Court and
that children’s views
are heard, as appropriate to their age and maturity,
before decisions about adoption are made.
- The
Central Adoption Agency will be responsible for conducting comprehensive reviews
of the child’s circumstances, including
careful consideration of kinship
placement options prior to processing an international adoption. The Act makes
it illegal to solicit
birth parents or members of the family to surrender a
child for adoption or to encourage, advise or facilitate a person’s travel
outside of the RMI for purposes of placing that person’s child—
whether born or unborn—for adoption. Violation
of the Adoption Law is
punishable by incarceration and payment of a fine.
C. Respect for the views of the child
- The
Government acknowledges the need to provide training to community leaders,
teachers, police officers and health care personnel
on ways to engage young
people in sharing their views. In this regard, national government is trying to
set an example by ensuring
young people participate in national policy
dialogues. In 2001, forty-eight youth leaders representing the 24
atolls/islands attended
the Second National Economic and Social Summit to
complete the Government’s Strategic Development Plan Framework Vision
2018 and develop plans for implementation.
- The
Marshall Islands Youth Congress (MIYC) was established in October 1998 to
facilitate the involvement of young people between the
ages of 13 and 35 in
local and national affairs. During the 2nd MIYC Conference in 2000,
a 5-year Strategic Plan was developed. The objectives of this plan are to:
- To increase
participation of youth in national and local development;
- To enrich and
enhance the cultural and spiritual lives of young people;
- To empower local
youth councils; and
- To ensure the
voice of young people is heard by Government and the people.
- The
proposed Youth Congress Work Program is governments principle program to promote
youth and development. The aim of this program
is to mobilize youth to
participate in national development activities by forging linkages between youth
groups, local governments,
churches, NGOs, the private sector and government
extension services. The aim of the Youth Congress Work Program will be
“to
productively involve youth in the development of their communities and
encourage maximum participation in the economic, social political
and cultural
and spiritual life of the nation”. To achieve this aim, the program will
coordinate a small grant scheme, an
annual national youth week, provide training
in response to the identified needs of youth groups and engage community youth
coordinators.
IV. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
A. Birth registration
- Over
this five-year reporting period, there has been tremendous improvement in birth
registration processes; the Ministry of Health
estimates that 90 percent of
children are now registered at birth. All Marshallese citizens have access to a
birth certificate.
When children are born in outer islands, Health Assistants
provide birth certificates to the Planning and Statistics Department.
Birth
certificates are processed in the MOH system, with original copies submitted to
the Registrar’s office at the Ministry
of Internal Affairs and for
filing.
- Persons
without a birth certificate can apply for “delayed registration”.
In such cases, people are required to provide
a witness to verify the
unregistered persons claim and documentation showing birth date and place. A
birth certificate is processed
by MOH, with the original submitted to the
Registrar’s Office for filing. In the case of a name change, people are
required
to get a court order. The MOH Vital Statistics Office processes
amended birth certificates; originals are submitted to the Registrar’s
Office.
- The
Ministry of Education requires that all children provide a birth certificate
when registering for school. People making application
for a passport and
identification card also need to produce a birth certificate. These
requirements have created widespread awareness
among the population about the
importance of birth registration.
- The
Government has considered providing social security numbers to all newborn
babies but plans have not progressed in this area.
- Despite
these improvements the Government remains concerned that children are discharged
from hospitals or health centre without a
proper name. This is due to
traditional customary practice requiring families to wait for a specific family
member to provide the
child’s name. Sometimes the child can be without a
formal name for months. Consequently, it may be important to mandate that
birth
certificates be completed before discharge from the hospital or health centre
and contain the child’s full legal name.
A name change could be affected
later if required.
B. Access to appropriate information
- Mobile
Teams operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of
Health have conducted community outreach programs
since the early 1990’s
to promote children and women’s health. Following enactment of new
legislation related to child’s
well being (such as the Adoption Act), new
outreach materials are designed and integrated into community education
programs.
- Several
NGOs are also active in providing information to young people about a range of
social and health issues. For instance, Jõdrikdrik Ñan
Jõkrikdrik Ilo Ejmour, (Youth-to-Youth in Health) targets
out-of-school young people between the ages of 14 and 25 and provides training
on reproductive
health issues, violence, substance abuse, depression and
suicide. Youth are also trained in basic counselling skills, health promotion,
community development and popular theatre.
- Despite
these efforts, there is a continuing concern over lack of access to information
by outer island communities due to logistical
and financial difficulties faced
by service providers in sustaining effective out-reach in remote areas. As a
result, communities
are often not aware of new policies, laws or processes to
follow. It is important that government agencies make better use of weekly
radio programs and the national newspaper to convey information.
- While
NGO programs are not expected to cater for the needs of all youth, their success
in developing the skills and interest of young
people in social and cultural
issues and in raising public awareness about the needs and concerns of youth in
the Marshall Islands
has been significant. Local and national government
agencies are now encouraging NGO community programs and creating opportunities
for expansion to the outer islands.
C. Corporal punishment
- The
Committee’s concern with respect to the use of corporal punishment in
families and state institutions is acknowledged.
Under the Child Abuse and
Neglect Act, it is not permissible to subject children to physical or
psychological harm. The Act also
provides for training of community and
professional groups, counselling for victims and perpetrators, and public
education to prevent
abuse. The Rules and Regulations of the Ministry of
Education also prohibit corporal punishment (defined as “hitting, kicking,
slapping or any other means of brutal punishment”).
- While
appropriate child abuse legislation is in place, reporting, investigative and
monitoring functions have not yet been sufficiently
developed. The Government
is also aware that more work is needed to educate the public about the harmful
consequences of corporal
punishment. The CRC Focal Point at the Ministry of
Internal Affairs employed at the Ministry of Health are working on community
education programs, with support from international agencies and local
NGOs.
- With
respect to corporal punishment in schools, there are very few reported instances
of this occurring. When these situations are
reported to a school Principal,
the matter is fully investigated and appropriate disciplinary action is taken.
In series cases,
the Principal informs the Secretary of Education. Since 1999,
the Public Service Commission has been responsible for teacher employment;
infractions are now dealt with by the PSC. The MOE believes school
administrators and teachers need to develop better understanding
of the CRC and
child rights principles.
V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE
A. Adoption
- By
the early 1990s, the Marshall Islands faced an escalating adoption crisis;
hundreds of children were being taken to the US through
unregulated solicitation
and facilitation processes. This was occurring without the usual protection
afforded children adopted internationally—under
the Compact Agreement
Marshallese citizens have free access to the US. Adoption practices ranged from
competent and ethical processes
to those described by a high court judge as
“black market adoption”; the Marshall Islands Journal frequently
cited reports
of door-to-door solicitation for children, monetary exchange,
fraud, coercion and misrepresentation. Because no records were kept
of adopted
children leaving the RMI under the Compact Agreement, it was not possible to
tract the identities and numbers of children
involved. At that time, it was
believed the RMI had lost the highest per capita number of children in the world
to international
adoption.
- In
response to this situation, the Parliament imposed a moratorium (Adoption
Residency Act) from September 1999 to December 2000 on
all international
adoptions. The moratorium, based on recommendations made by a
government-appointed task force, reflected a national
effort to regroup and
respond to the crisis. Unfortunately, the moratorium may have increased the
number of children leaving the
country without record since adoptions could not
be heard in RMI courts during this period.
- In
October 1999, a Government Task Force supported by international experts was
established to study the situation and make legislative
recommendations. The
Task Force recommended institution of comprehensive adoption legislation and
establishment of a central authority
to oversee all aspects of adoption
practise. Following a number of public hearings, the Government passed
legislation (Public Law
2002-64; Adoption Act 2002) in October 2002 to
regulate international adoptions and authorized establishment of the Central
Adoption Authority (CAA) to enforce
the Adoption Act.
- The
Central Adoption Authority has responsibility for the following
functions:
(a) To receive and investigate all referrals from RMI
families seeking adoption as an option for their children;
(b) To provide case management services to natural parents and their
children including birthparent counselling, extended family
meetings, referral
to pre-natal nutrition and medical care;
(c) To monitor the quality of the application for adoptions;
(d) To facilitate the medical, nutritional and emotional needs of the
children while the adoption is being processed;
(e) To discuss with children, in a manner appropriate to their age and
maturity, their preferences with respect to adoption.
- The
CAA will also work closely with extended families to promote and support kinship
placements within the Marshall Islands. The
Adoption Act clearly differentiates
between customary adoptions and external adoptions as the purpose, process and
procedures involved
in overseas arrangements are very different to the way
adoption is perceived and practised in Marshallese custom (kajiriri).
Traditionally, clan members adopted children as a response to the adoptive
parents need for labour or care, or to solidify family
relationships, or to
ensure the rights of inheritance. In most instances, Marshallese viewed
adoption as an “open arrangement”
which served to expand family and
clan boundaries.
B. Parental responsibility and child protection
- In
1991, the Government passed child abuse and neglect legislation (Public
Law 1991207). This law provided for:
- Mandatory
reporting and investigation of actual and suspected cases of child abuse and
neglect, including physical abuse, sexual abuse,
verbal/psychological abuse,
medical neglect, malnutrition and abandonment;
- Training for
those responsible for dealing with child abuse cases;
- Public education
for improved prevention of abuse, neglect and malnutrition; and
- Counselling for
perpetrators, victims and family members.
- Protocols
were established between the MOH and the Department of Public Safety to ensure
that all child abuse cases reported to the
police were also referred to the
Human Services Division for follow-up and counselling. In situations involving
prosecution, cases
were also filed with the Attorney General’s
Office.
- In
1992, the NNCC formed the Child Abuse and Neglect Task Force to identify
procedural and clinical measures required to improve responsiveness
to child
abuse. This task force, comprised of representatives from key ministries and
NGOs, has not been active for several years.
- In
1992, Government established a Social Work Office within the MOH Human
Services Division to provide counselling services in situations
of child
abuse and neglect. From 19921998, two full-time social workers were
employed to work with families whose children presented
at the hospital
malnourished or abused. Monthly statistics indicate that approximately 200
cases were seen each year, totalling
about 1000 in the period 1992-1998. The
bulk of these referrals concerned malnutrition, although there were some reports
of child
sexual abuse and neglect.
- For
political, administrative and financial reasons, social work services were
reduced in 1998 and terminated in 2001. The lack of
funding available
under the Compact Agreement for child abuse prevention from US grants and the
Government’s inability to source
funds from other sources has constrained
efforts in this important area.
- Despite
the efforts of government and NGOs to raise awareness of child abuse and
neglect, the term ‘child abuse’ is still
not widely used nor
understood in the Marshall Islands. Child abuse is often thought to be
synonymous with child sexual abuse—incest
and rape of minors. In the case
of excessive physical beating or heavy workloads inappropriate to a
child’s age, there is
considerable controversy and cultural defensiveness.
- In
the late 1990s, Mobile Teams from the Ministry of Internal Affairs visited outer
island communities to hold workshops on child
rights; a report from one of these
visits states: “One problem we witnessed in these communities was how
children are disciplined.
Instead of talking to the children, they are hit on
the head and have things thrown at them. Verbal abuse is also a major
problem”.
(Field notes, Mobile Team, Community Development Division
Ministry of Internal Affairs).
- There
is little understanding that verbal abuse, including use of harsh words;
ridicule and humiliation can have a lasting negative
psychological impact on
children. These methods are generally just regarded as “discipline”
and thought to be in the
child’s best interest. “As parents we need
to look at the way we discipline our children. Sometimes the way we talk
to our
children, the tone of our voice can make a difference. We seem to have the
habit of talking harshly to our children to make
them feel ashamed in front of
everyone. We need to talk softy in order to teach our children so they can
learn instead of feeling
embarrassed and small” (participant at Child
Rights Workshop, 1999).
- Until
recently, rape, sexual abuse and paedophilia were not publicly discussed and
rarely prosecuted in the Marshall Islands. In
addition to cultural taboos that
negate reporting of child abuse cases, the lack of a
“child-friendly” legal system for
victims further limits disclosure
and prosecution.
- The
Family Health Promotion and Human Services Division of the Ministry of Health is
currently conducting a public education campaign
to raise awareness about child
abuse and neglect, including full page notices in the Marshall Islands
Journal.
- To
address the shortage of trained counsellors needed to respond to the growing
number of social problems a counselling course was
developed with CMI in the
late 1990s. In 2000, a Certificate of Completion in Counselling course was
fully integrated as the CMI
program of study. The course involves four, three
credit courses designed to train entry-level workers to deal with a range of
psychosocial
issues such as child abuse, suicide and substance abuse.
Participants in the program are working professionals employed as teachers,
pastors, community and youth workers. This initiative has received a high
degree of support from the Government and is highly valued
by community
agencies.
- There
has been some discussion about the need to streamline child abuse/neglect
investigative and follow-up functions in a central
location, possibly the
Ministry of Internal Affairs. The establishment of the Child Rights Office has
strengthened the government’s
capacity to address child abuse and neglect
is a more systematic and coordinated way. There is a need to clarify
ministerial responsibilities
for investigation and to review inter-agency
protocols. Greater collaboration between key ministries and NGOs is needed to
improve
proactive and reactive responses to child abuse and neglect.
VI. BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
A. Health status and services
Health care delivery
- As
outlined in the Government’s First Report on Implementation, the
Ministry of Health (MOH) is responsible for the provision of health services;
planning and management functions are centralized
at Ministry headquarters in
Majuro.
- In
1995, the MOH initiated Community Health Councils to promote prevention and
increase public participation. The Bureau of Primary
Health Care (formerly
Preventive Services) was renamed in 1997 to reflect the broad scope of the
bureau’s mandate for community
based health promotion and services. There
are four divisions within the Bureau of PHC: Division of Public Health, Health
Promotion
and Human Services, Outer Island Health Care and Dental Services. The
Division of Public Health, the largest division in the Bureau,
administers five
programs: Reproductive Health, Immunization, Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STD/HIV), Chronic Disease Control and
the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program.
All of these programs conduct regular clinics and outreach services.
- The
Comprehensive Perinatal Care Program is the core priority of the Bureau of PHC;
it includes aggressive health education and promotion
campaigns on the
importance of perinatal care. A significant achievement of this program is the
increased number of pregnant women
attending antenatal clinics during the first
trimester of pregnancy. While growth monitoring for children is carried out
during
well baby clinics and community outreach visits, this activity is not
regularly conducted in all outer islands due to lack of necessary
supplies.
- Despite
the policy shift to primary health care, a large percentage of resources
allocated for health are still consumed by curative
care programs. The
inadequacy of domestic health care services still make it necessary to refer
patients to Honolulu or Manila for
treatment. This practise uses up a
substantial proportion of resources allocated to health, causing heavy strain on
the annual budget
and preventing the shift to primary health. Curative health
services on Majuro and Ebeye also absorb a major part of health finances,
reducing resources available for the outer islands and primary health care. The
Bureau of PHC operates primarily on US federal funds
and other international
assistance. Proper and prudent use of these funds will ensure more efficient
primary health care services
for outer island communities.
- The
new Ebeye hospital has 25 beds and provides a range of primary and secondary
services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. While
many Health Centres were
recently renovated, over half are still badly in need of repair. The
Office of Planning and Statistics will conduct an infrastructure development and
maintenance assessment of all health and education
facilities throughout the
country. The results of this survey will be used to develop repair and
replacement plans as required.
- Lack
of access to safe drinking water and water for washing hands is still a major
problem for children in school. It is assumed
that parents will provide
drinking water for children to take to school but this does not always happen.
Improving sanitation and
access to drinking water is a priority.
- In
recent years, diagnostic laboratories have been expanded and funds have been
secured to upgrade and expand the hospital on Majuro
Atoll. Plans are in place
to resume mammography services at the Majuro hospital making possible the early
detection of breast cancer.
The MOH Strategic Plan for 2001-2015 does not
include strategies on cancer prevention and treatment, despite the fact that
this
disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in the Marshall
Islands.
- In
1999, 19 female Health Assistants were trained to overcome cultural barriers
preventing women from receiving needed care from male
health providers. Health
Assistants have received training on growth monitoring and early detection of
disease. Although specialized
medical teams from Majuro make more regular
visits to the outer islands, transportation problems mean outer island clinics
still
run out of pharmacy medicines.
- There
are a lack of dental facilities in the outer islands and many outer island
Health Assistants have not required adequate training
in dental care.
- The
MOH actively engages other ministries in promoting healthy lifestyles through
campaigns and seminars on primary health care issues.
NGOs also play an
increasing role in the delivery of health services. For example, Youth-to-Youth
in Health operates a youth health
clinic in Majuro and carries out promotion
programs that target at-risk young people. The MOH provides support to
Youth-to-Youth
through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), currently being
renegotiated. The Ministry recognizes the critical importance of increasing
people’s participation in their own health care through community
education.
Health indicators and patterns of illness
- As
a result of concerted efforts over the past decade, there has been a marked
improvement in the health status of the population
as indicated in the following
Table. Infant and child deaths have been considerably reduced in the last 10
years; infant death has
been reduced by 35 percent from 63 to 37 per 1,000 live
births.
- Among
children under 5 years of age there has been a reduction of mortality rate by
nearly 50 percent since 1988, from 93 to 48 per
1,000 live births. The infant
mortality rate among baby girls is lower than for boys, 32 for girls compared
with 41 for boys in
1999. There has also been a faster reduction in infant girl
deaths; the infant mortality rate was reduced by 46 percent for baby
girls and by 37 percent for baby boys.
Health status indicators, 1988-1999
|
1988
|
1999
|
Life expectancy at birth
|
|
|
Both sexes
|
61.04
|
67.49
|
Females
|
62.57
|
69.35
|
Males
|
59.61
|
65.72
|
Crude death rate (per ‘000)
|
8.9
|
4.9
|
Crude birth rate (per ‘000)
|
49.2
|
41.8
|
Total fertility rate
|
7.23
|
5.71
|
Infant mortality rate (per ‘000)
|
63
|
37
|
Mortality under 5 years (per ‘000)
|
93
|
48
|
Patterns of illness
- Health
status in Marshall Islands is characterized by a triple disease pattern that
includes communicable, non-communicable and nuclear-related
illnesses. Today,
most major health problems are lifestyle related. Common non-communicable
diseases include diabetes, hypertension,
heart disease, cancer and fish
poisoning. There is an increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes in children
and young people
especially young women aged 20-35 years. Poor nutrition, lack
of exercise and genetic predisposition are the primary contributors
to these
diseases. A Diabetic Task Force Committee will be established to identify
prevention strategies.
- The
growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases has a significant impact on
morbidity and mortality rates. In collaboration with
the World Health
Organization and the Fiji School of Medicine, the MOH will conduct a
non-communicable disease survey. The results
of this survey will provide vital
information about risk factors related to NCDs and will suggest how the MOH can
use the STEPwise Approach to Surveillance of Risk Factors to
reduce NCDs.
- Common
infectious diseases include amoebiasis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis,
gonorrhoea, influenza, leprosy, scabies, syphilis
and tuberculosis (TB). In
2001, the three leading causes of illness reported in outer island health
centres were Acute Respiratory
Infections, Influenza and Diarrhoea. Incidents
of conjunctivitis decreased from 942 in 1999 to 108 in 2001.
- Despite
increased health promotion and active screening and treatment for tuberculosis,
patient compliance with medication remains
a problem. TB continues to be a
significant public health problem in the RMI and was one of the leading causes
of death in 2001.
The MOH uses the Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) Short
Course protocol for TB patients. Since the national leprosy screening in
1997, the prevalence rate of leprosy has declined
from 27.2 per 10,000 (1997) to 5.5 per 10,000 in 2002. The
target rate is 1 per
10,000 people by the end
of 2003.
Immunization
- The
expanded program on immunization (EPI) was initiated in 1995 under the MOHEE,
with support from UNICEF. Ministry records indicate
that immunization coverage
has increased in most areas (i.e., BCG from 71% in 1995 to 81% in 1998 and DPT3
from 70% in 1995 to 86%
in 1998). The “30 cluster sample survey” to
determine EPI coverage was conducted in 1998. The Hepatitis B Vaccine has
been
incorporated in the EPI schedule since 1998.
- Lower
immunization coverage rates in the outer islands is attributed to logistical
obstacles faced by health workers; distances between
outer islands, high
migration rates, limited storage facilities for vaccines, sensitivity of
vaccines to temperature fluctuations
and weak information and communications
systems.
Sexual and reproductive health
- MOH
statistics indicate that the number of family planning users has increased
since 1995, with female users significantly outnumbering
males. In 2001,
female contraceptive users constituted 86.6 percent of people attending family
planning clinics.
- While
the Family Planning Program has made significant strides in recent years,
several factors continue to limit its effectiveness.
Visits to family planning
clinics are constrained by lack of transportation, childcare and support by
husbands/boyfriends to use
of contraceptives. There is a need to provide family
planning counselling in communities and schools rather than relying on clients
to attend clinics. There is also a shortage of school nurses to assist in
family planning services to high school students.
According to research conducted by Youth-to-Youth in Health, males 20 years
and under are becoming sexually active at a younger age;
this group has not been
actively targeted in reproductive health campaigns to date. Strengthening male
clinics is a priority area
for the MOH, along with increasing health education
and promotion activities.
- As
young people become more sexually active they also become more vulnerable to
numerous public health concerns. Despite efforts
to expand the reach of
reproductive health services, there is still a need to make relevant, high
quality information and contraceptives
more accessible in order to decrease
unwanted pregnancy and deter the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS. This is
especially true on the
outer islands where neither contraceptives nor STD
testing services are readily available.
- The
increased rate of STDs seen over the past decade has continued: STDs and
HIV/AIDS now pose a serious threat to the health of the
RMI population. Despite
increased health education and promotion efforts, syphilis, gonorrhoea and
chlamydia rates continue to rise.
All STDs are especially high among young
adults aged 15-24. The most common STD is syphilis, most prevalent in the 20-24
year age
group. The MOH attributes the rise in STDs to real increase and
enhanced surveillance. However, given that cultural taboos and
limited access
to screening continue to constrain reporting, recorded cases of STDs likely
under-represent the real prevalence rate.
- The
number of people who attend clinics for blood screening is increasing each year;
from 2,260 in 1999 to 3,220 in 2001. Young people
aged 20-24 years are most
often screened, with a higher percentage of females than males.
- The
first reported case of HIV/AIDS was in 1986; no other cases were recorded during
this reporting period. Some medical authorities
speculate that HIV/AIDS may be
significantly under-reported due to lack of awareness and insufficient
diagnostic facilities.
- At
the request of the MOH, a study of sexual networking and the spread of HIV/AIDS
in the Marshall Islands was conducted by researchers
from the University of the
South Pacific in Fiji. The purpose of the study was to assess the vulnerability
of certain groups to
HIV/AIDS transmission and the extent to which HIV/AIDS
could spread amongst the general population through sexual relations. The
research was conducted using a participatory methodology that included focus
group discussions with young people and women engaged
in the formal and informal
sex trade.
- Primary
data collected during this Majuro-based study revealed a high-risk environment
for the spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly amongst
young people. This research
revealed that current HIV/AIDS policy and practice is inadequate in address
existing vulnerabilities.
The study raises concern about coordination between
service providers and notes that HIV/AIDS screening is often misdirected or
ineffectual due to the lack of follow-up testing. While NGOs such as
Youth-to-Youth in Health have been successful in conveying
prevention messages,
lack of funding and leadership constrains the organization’s ability to
implement IEC campaigns.
- The
study urges review of the HIV/AIDS policy, with particular attention to
high-risk groups and provision of adequate resources to
raise public awareness
about HIV/AIDS prevention. High-risk target groups include youth (through
schools, churches, sports clubs
and NGOs), seafarers (through the Marine
Training School) and the tourism/entertainment industries (through night clubs
and hotels).
B. Malnutrition
- The
increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Marshall Islands is
related to “over-nutrition” and high consumption
of fatty foods. In
urban centres where overcrowding prevents agricultural development, the
availability of fresh produce is limited.
Even when traditional Marshallese
foods are available, they are expensive and seen as too time consuming to
prepare. For many years,
Marshall Islanders have been encouraged to grow and
eat varieties of green leafy vegetables to prevent VAD deficiency. However,
since these are not traditional or especially likeable foods, they have not been
readily accepted into people’s diets. High
unemployment, low wages and
the high cost of imported foods makes healthy eating increasingly unaffordable
to many Marshallese.
- A
1994 study estimated that 62 percent of children under five had severe Vitamin A
deficiency and that malnourishment accounted for
approximately 17 percent of all
deaths in that age group. As a result of this study, the Vitamin A Distribution
program was initiated
in 1995 and has continued on a twice-yearly basis.
Vitamin A supplements are distributed to all children from 6 months to 12 years
of age and all postpartum women immediately after birth. The Ministry of Health
recognises the need for a follow-up study to assess
the impact of the
distribution program and current status of VAD deficiency in children
nationwide.
- To
address growing malnutrition concerns, Government established a Nutrition Unit
in 1995 at the Ministry of Health, staffed by a
full-time Coordinator
trained in community nutrition. In 1996, Cabinet approved the National Policy
for Agriculture, Food and Nutrition,
including national dietary guidelines. A
National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN) was drafted in 1995 and is currently
being
revised by the NNCC Task Force on Food and Nutrition. It is important the
NPAN is finalised and endorsed as soon as possible as
a strategic basis for
addressing the nutritional concerns of children and women.
- The
NPAN will aggressively promote nutritious diets with emphasis on local foods.
Consumption and production of local foods will
be encouraged through development
of appropriate tax measures, agricultural policies and the re-introduction of
the school lunch
program using local food and by promoting health education in
schools. Assistance will be provided in establishing facilities that
encourage
the habit of regular exercise among our people, especially in the urban areas.
Given’s women’s responsibility
for food production and preparation,
it is recognised they will play a pivotal role in changing the nation’s
eating habits.
A survey will be conducted to assess sanitation needs and to
formulate a plan to meet those needs.
- In
collaboration with John Hopkins University, the MOH also initiated a study on
the causes and affects of under-nutrition as the
basis for improving diabetes
prevention programmes. During this reporting period, UNICEF provided support
for the Community Nutrition
Improvement Programme (CNIP). The major
achievements of the CNIP include (1) data collection and analysis regarding the
nutrition
status of school children in selected schools, (2) promotion of
inter-agency collaboration, and (3) increased awareness at the community
level
about malnutrition and healthy eating practises.
- UNICEF
also provided support to the MOH for the Household Food Security Project aimed
at promoting home and community gardening.
Over 150 households had initiated
gardens on 11 sites when the project was reviewed in 1998.
- MOH
records indicate that 97 percent of infants in the Marshall Islands are now
breastfed. The traditional belief that colostrums
is dangerous for newborns has
changed through awareness initiatives. Most urban mothers use store-bought baby
foods when their infants
are being weaned, while women on the outer islands use
local fruits to supplement their baby’s diet. The Bureau of PHC promotes
exclusive breastfeeding using a variety of information, education and
communication techniques.
- In
1996, the MOH drafted a National Breast Feeding Policy. The objective of this
policy framework is to promote—through education,
legislation and
enforcement—the right of all children to be fed only breast milk for the
first six months of life, and to ensure
employers provide adequate leave for
mothers to establish lactation and continue nursing after returning to work.
Endorsement of
the National Breastfeeding Policy is necessary to achieve
objectives concerning mandatory maternity leave and institution of baby-friendly
workplaces that enable mothers to bring their children to work.
C. Children with disabilities
- For
the first time, the 1999 census included questions related to people with
disabilities; the census revealed that 853 people or
1.7 percent of the
population is disabled; approximately 30 percent are under the age of 18. The
primary disabilities are deafness,
blindness, mental illness and cancer related
disability. Disabled children under 18 years represent about 0.93
percent of the population. Cancer related disability constitutes 11.5 percent
of total disability cases.
- In
1997, a MOH working committee carried out a study of persons with disabilities.
This study considered barriers to education and
employment and identified
gaps in diagnostic information and data management systems. Considerable
under-reporting of disability
cases is likely due to confusion about
definitions, the belief that individuals with disabilities are not
“sick” and
because reporting does not necessarily result in
additional support.
- In
1998, the Marshall Islands qualified for a US Federal Grant called the Special
Education Program for Pacific Island Entities (SEPPIE).
The goal of this
program was to increase the country’s capacity to address the special
educational needs of students aged
322 years who have learning and
physical disabilities.
- This
program has enabled students who would not normally participate in schooling the
opportunity to do so. Training was provided
to all RMI special education
teachers as well as about 65 percent of general education teachers. Physical
facilities were established
in numerous elementary schools throughout the
country and evaluation guidelines have been developed. Unfortunately, access to
special
education programs in the outer islands is limited and there are no
specialized programs available outside of the school environment.
Therefore,
children with disabilities who do not attend school do not receive these
services.
- For
the past several years, the MOE has concentrated on establishing a disabilities
assessment framework, constructing specialized
facilities and building capacity
within schools to address the needs of children with disabilities. The Ministry
will now focus
on enhancing skills of teachers and administrators and ensuring
performance standards are achieved. Creating partnerships between
home, school
and community is considered especially important in addressing the long-term
needs of these children.
- The
Ministry of Health plays an important role in addressing the special medical
needs of children with disabilities, in particular
Human Services and the
Maternal Child Health Unit. Since the relocation of Majuro hospital, there is
no physical therapy program
for children with disabilities or follow-up care
available after constructive surgery. Early intervention to strengthen the
child
does not exist. A select number of children with limited physical
deformities are eligible for referral off island for corrective
surgery. While
MOH attempts to notify all families with disabled children of oncoming services
by visiting specialty mission teams,
work is generally done in urban centers.
Unless children have been accepted into the referral program and are brought to
Majuro
or Ebeye, outer island populations lack access to these services.
- During
the mid to late 1990s, the Government participated with other Pacific Island
countries in the Rehabilitation Research and Training
Centre Project to identify
priorities for improving services to persons with disabilities.
- In
1998, the Ministry of Education organized a Conference on Disability and the
Law. At this conference the Inter Agency Council
for Disabled Persons was
formed to coordinate federally funded government programs that deal with persons
with disabilities and promote
interministerial collaboration in provision of
services for people with special needs. A parent representative of the Marshall
Islands
Special Education Parents Association (MISEPA) also sits on the
Inter-Agency Council. For some years the Inter-Agency Committee
took an active
role in organizing the annual National Disabilities Week held the first week of
December to increase public awareness
of disabilities and to recognize the
efforts of children with special needs.
D. Adolescent health and development
- The
Government continues to be concerned about the health and welfare of our young
people, especially with respect to increasing rates
of unemployment, teenage
pregnancy, depression and suicide, substance abuse, sexually transmitted
diseases and social violence.
The Marshall Islands is not alone in facing
these problems; similar concerns have been raised in many other Pacific
countries. The
1999 Human Development Report for Pacific Island
Countries states that, “the most urgent concern across the region is
to better meet the needs and aspirations of the upcoming generation”.
- As
a result of the shift to modern economy and rapid urbanisation, social values
and structures are in flux and young people are required
to cope with competing
worldviews. Traditional safety nets are breaking down leaving young people
increasingly vulnerable to unhealthy
life style choices.
- The
economic situation poses particular problems for young people since most do
not have specialized skills or experience needed for
employment in the
formal sector. Unemployment rates are increasing and many young people feel
frustrated and resentful with the
lack of opportunities available to them.
Undereducated young people have difficulty expressing their concerns and ideas
in an effective
way; social and political structures have generally not provided
youth with meaningful opportunities to participate in development
and
nation-building activities.
- For
these reasons, government agencies, NGOs, churches and donors have increasingly
focused their efforts on young people and are
actively engaged in addressing
youth issues. There are currently 160 youth organisations registered in the
Marshall Islands with
a membership of over 16,000 young people. These
organisations cover a wide spectrum of community-based groups, religious and
cultural associations, sports teams and social
clubs. They are coordinated at
national level by the Youth Services Bureau (YSB), Community Development
Division Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Social Welfare. The Bureau was
established to assist young people better meet their needs and aspirations, to
improve
the quality of their lives and to promote the involvement of youth in
the challenging task of nation-building.
- To
achieve this goal, the YSB assists with implementation of: the World Program of
Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, the
Regional Pacific Youth
Strategy 2005, the National Strategic Plan Vision 2018, the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, the National
Nutrition and the National Population Policy.
The YSB also provides technical assistance to the Marshall Islands Youth
Congress
and assists with the establishment of Local Youth Councils on each
atoll. Currently 23 outer islands have set up their own Youth
Council.
Further, the YSB conducts training on leadership skills and assists youth groups
access the RMI Youth Empowerment Fund,
administered by the Bureau.
- Established
in 1999, the Youth Empowerment Fund provides small grants for skills development
projects to young people aged 16-25.
To be eligible, youth groups must have at
least 10 members and be registered by a local youth council. The 3rd
NYC Conference will be held in 2003 during which youth leaders will review
progress on implementation of the Strategic Plan and finalize
the proposed
National Youth Policy. The Draft Youth Policy focuses on Culture/Environment,
Health/Population, Education and Employment
Opportunities, Legal Rights,
Religions and National Development and identifies specific objectives in these
areas.
- International
agencies have provided support in establishing vocational programs for
outof-school youth and have funded numerous health
education campaigns.
Multiple donors were involved in financing a new facility and capacity building
for Youth-to-Youth. Despite
these initiatives and the considerable efforts of
government, NGOs, churches and donors, youth issues in Marshall Islands are
becoming
more prevalent and serious.
Suicide
- Suicide
has been a concern in the Marshall Islands for many years. In 1995 a grant was
received from the World Health Organisation
to support the development of a
National Suicide Task Force, production of IEC materials, and national
conferences on suicide prevention.
These conferences involved government, NGOs,
churches, community leaders, survivors and the families of victims. The
initiative
involved a comprehensive evaluation, including analysis of lessons
learned. As a result of these interventions, suicide rates in
the Marshall
Islands declined for most of the 1990s, with the exception of 1997.
- A
Mental Health block grant from the US supported the following compilation of
data on completed suicides during the decade 1990-2000.
Data is not available
on attempted suicides due to low levels of reporting.
Majuro
|
Ebeye
|
Outer Islands
|
Total
|
FY 1990
|
8
|
8
|
1
|
17
|
FY 1991
|
8
|
2
|
0
|
10
|
FY 1992
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
8
|
FY 1993
|
12
|
0
|
1
|
13
|
FY 1994
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
14
|
FY 1995
|
7
|
3
|
2
|
12
|
FY 1996
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
7
|
FY 1997
|
11
|
2
|
1
|
14
|
FY 1998
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
6
|
FY 1999
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
FY 2000
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
7
|
- Research
over many years indicates a significant proportion of suicides are committed
when victims are intoxicated. Almost all suicides
are carried out by males; the
vast majority of victims are in their 20’s; the youngest recorded person
to attempt suicide is
15 years of age. Suicide rates increase after the
Christmas and New Years holiday, and again during the graduation period. This
information is important in guiding suicide prevention initiatives.
Teen pregnancy
- National
statistics indicate that teen pregnancy, as a percentage of total live births
is 20.6 percent. Research conducted by the
NGO Youth-to-Youth in
Health, based on clinical records over the period 1999-2002 found a similar
pregnancy rate. However, it is
believed these statistics likely under represent
the prevalence of teenage pregnancy because births assisted by traditional
midwives
are often not recorded, especially in the outer islands.
- According
to the study by Youth-to-Youth, the common view is that teen pregnancy is the
result of immaturity, lack of information
about reproductive health issues and
lack of appropriate parental guidance and monitoring. Programs dealing with
teenage pregnancy
have focused mostly on females, placing the onus of them to
prevent unwanted pregnancy. The study also states that in Marshall Islands
custom, the cultural view of teenage pregnancy may be more one of ambivalence
than of true concern.
- Hospital
records indicate the growing number of young women giving birth to babies whose
fathers are listed as “unknown”.
It has also become common practise
to expel pregnant students from high school.
- The
Government recognises the need to enhance reproductive health and counselling
support for young mothers since children of teenage
mothers are more likely to
face economic, health and developmental challenges compared to children of older
mothers. Birth complications
such as low birth weight and premature delivery
are also more common in teen pregnancies.
Substance abuse
- Alcohol
continues to be a significant contributor to crime, accidents, domestic and
social violence, child abuse, unplanned pregnancy,
depression and suicide and
the spread of sexually transmitted illnesses. In 2000, alcohol related
hospitalization constituted 71
percent of cases referred to the MOH Counselling
Program.
- Churches
and NGOs have expressed strong concern about the misuse of alcohol and affects
on family and community life. In the late
1990’s the National Council of
Churches collected 10,000 signatures on a petition to prohibit alcohol in the
Marshall Islands;
this petition was not successful. WUTMI and other
organizations continue to work on alcohol and drug abuse programs.
- In
1998, the Micronesian Seminar undertook a study on drug and alcohol use and
treatment approaches used by organizations in the RMI.
This research was
sponsored by the US based Centre for Substance Abuse Treatment to determine
the need for additional intervention.
The study emphasises the need to consider
alcohol use in a cultural context, highlights the strong correlation between
alcohol use,
crime and suicide rates and details the prevalence of alcohol,
marijuana, cocaine and use of inhalants. This research concludes
that alcohol
is the greatest drug problem in the Marshall Islands; particularly among the
male population. The use of inhalants
(gas and glue sniffing) is also a serious
problem, particularly in Ebeye. The study makes numerous recommendations
regarding prevention
and treatment strategies including involvement of
grassroots community institutions and a re-examination of the role of government
agencies in substance abuse prevention, treatment and record keeping.
- Smoking
is a major public health concern in the Marshall Islands. While legislation on
selling of tobacco products to minors was
passed by parliament in September
1993, a 1999 study revealed that many urban stores do not adhere to this
legislation. The Bureau
of Primary Health Care has developed a range of
anti-smoking promotional materials in an attempt to combat the increasing
prevalence
of tobacco use among young people. The effectiveness of these
campaigns is constrained however by the lack of a non-smoking culture
and
reinforcement by parents.
- A
National Substance Abuse Prevention Committee was formed in the 1995 with
representation from key ministries and community organizations,
but disbanded in
1998. Government recognises the need for a comprehensive and consolidated
approach to substance abuse prevention
and treatment.
Crime
- The
overall crime rate has steadily increased over the past decade, particularly
among urban young people. In 1997, the number of
crimes committed in Majuro was
308 but by 2002 this number had tripled, to 1,187. In 2001, 18 and 19
year olds comprised 41.3 percent
of those arrested in Majuro; females of this
same age group made up 83 percent of all crimes
- committed
by women. The vast majority of these crimes were related to alcohol with people
commonly charged with drunken and disorderly,
burglary, assault and battery,
disturbing the peace and malicious mischief.
- The
emergence of violent youth gangs is creating serious concern in both Majuro and
Ebeye, precipitating discussion about the need
to impose a curfew. The possible
implications of escalating juvenile crime on social stability and economic
development are a significant
concern.
VII. EDUCATION, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
A. Education
Policy and service delivery
- As
outlined in the Government’s First Report on Implementation, the
Ministry of Education (MOE) is responsible for the administration of education
services. The Constitution of the Marshall Islands recognizes people’s
right to education and the Government’s obligation to take “every
step
reasonable and necessary” to provide education services for all
citizens. Government’s existing education policy is
formalised under the
Education Act 1991 and Rules and Regulations of the Ministry of
Education 1992. A committee was recently established to review and
recommend changes to the Education Act.
- In
addition to schools managed by the MOE, private schools, mostly operated by
religious organizations, play an increasing role in
provision of education
services. In 1999, a total of 4,366 students were enrolled in private schools -
2,976 in elementary schools
and 1,390 in secondary. In 1999 this represents
about 30 percent of the nation’s total elementary and secondary enrolment,
up from 25 percent in 1988.
- While
both public and private schools use the same curricula, some believe the private
system is further advanced in the use of curriculum
materials and overall
quality of instruction. Disparity in achievement rates between public and
private school students have been
attributed to smaller class size, better
facilities and greater parental involvement in private schools.
However, recent test score results suggest that the
quality of education provided in public and private schools may be
equalizing. The MOE
believes efforts must be taken to ensure any remaining
disparity in the quality of education between public and private schools is
eliminated.
- In
1989, the MOE launched a Ten-Year Masterplan aimed at revitalizing the
primary school system and redressing identified deficiencies including
over-crowded classrooms, inadequate
supplies, lack of parental involvement and
poorly trained teachers and administrative staff. Subsequently, the Ministry
developed
the Strategic Plan for Education 2001 which complements
the Government’s Vision 2018 strategy and identifies key priorities
and directions in education. Since 2000, the MOE has been working with UNESCO
to develop an
Education
- Strategy
Action Plan to address the six priority goals identified at the Dakar World
Education Conference. A working draft of this
Plan has now been completed and
is closely linked with the Strategic Plan for Education 2001 and
Vision 2018 policy frameworks.
Achievements and challenges
- Over
the last five years, the MOE has made significant advances in addressing
identified deficiencies in education. This includes
increased school enrolment
numbers, elimination of multi-grade classrooms in most urban schools,
establishment of a teacher certification
program, development of distance
education and mentoring support for teachers, establishment of a National
Vocational Training Institute,
review of the Language Policy, extension of
classrooms in existing facilities, and establishment of the new Laura High
School.
- As
a result of Language Policy review, the MOE is in the process of amending the
Rules and Regulations to enable instruction in both
English and Marshallese for
a specified period of time each day. The teacher certification program,
conducted in collaboration with
the College of the Marshall Islands, requires
teachers that do not possess either a two or four year college degree to attend
summer
courses at CMI; workshops on teaching methodologies are also offered.
Certified teachers and consultants are recruited each summer
to assist with
these workshops. The MOE is also working with various organizations to recruit
overseas teachers for outer island
schools.
- The
mentoring program provides support to identified schools by MOE administrative
staff. Mentors visit schools at least four times
each year to assist teaching
staff and monitor overall school functioning. This initiative has proven highly
successful in enhancing
communication between schools and MOE personnel,
improving teacher/school performance and monitoring of education outcomes. As a
result of these initiatives, test score results have improved in some elementary
schools and the number of students passing from
elementary schools has
increased.
- Despite
these initiatives and the considerable efforts of the MOE to address
longstanding deficiencies in education, progress is constrained
by the lack of
human resources required to develop, manage and monitor effective education
programs. The MOE is also structurally
constrained by the budget process,
limiting its ability to re-shuffle funds within the Ministry to meet priority
needs. The MOE
is addressing these constraints by revamping the current budget
system to that of performance–based monitoring. This system
is expected
to improve education performance by requiring a detailed series of actions that
ensure specific goals are achieved in
the specified timeframe.
- Between
1994/95 and 1999/2000 school years, expenditure on education
averaged 21.5 percent of the country’s total recurrent
expenditure. In 2000, primary education consumed 43% of the budget, secondary
education received 22%, tertiary education programmes
accounted for 19%,
and administration received the balance of 16%. When education funds are
insufficient to meet basic expenses,
resources intended for supplies and
equipment are often reallocated. Over the years this practice has led to poorly
supplied and
equipped schools, especially in the outer islands.
- In
recent years, concerns have surfaced over inadequate coordination between
international agencies supporting the education sector
and the allocation of
donor funds to specific programs rather than priority areas as determined by the
MOE. The Ministry is addressing
these issues with partner agencies and is
working on instituting changes to ensure international assistance is closely
tied with
MOE priorities. The MOE is also involved in critically examining the
aims of education to ensure greater congruence with the socio-cultural
and
economic context.
Access to education
- While
school enrolment numbers increased at both elementary and secondary level
from 1988 to 1999, the school enrolment ratio for
6-14 year olds increased
only slightly - from 81.9 to 84.1 percent. Concern exists regarding the
slow increase in the elementary
level enrolment ratio. While the exact reason
for this trend is unknown, education authorities believe that the high number of
families
with school-aged children migrating to the US in the 1990s was a
contributing factor.
- In
the case of secondary school enrolment, the ratio increased from 46.7 to 69.5
percent from 1988 to 1999. Despite this significant
increase, it is estimated
that three out of every ten children of secondary school age did not receive
secondary education in 1999.
- Another
area of concern is that overall female enrolment at both primary and secondary
level appears to be declining. This trend
may relate to family pressures for
girls to stay at home to help with household tasks and to increasing teenage
pregnancy rates.
At the same time, parental attitudes about the importance of
educating girls are changing, especially in urban areas. MOE authorities
believe more research is needed to better understand why female enrolment is
declining.
- Parent’s
inability or unwillingness to meet school-related expenses is one reason
children are out of school. Transportation
to and from school, particularly in
the outer islands, also constrains access to education for many students.
Reluctance to attend
is even higher in schools without safe drinking water or
toilet facilities.
- While
not dismissing the economic difficulties faced by an increasing number of
households, education authorities believe that families
do not always prioritize
their children’s education, choosing instead to spend their limited
resources on home entertainment
systems, automobiles, church and custom
functions. Increasing community participation, changing the “mind
set” of parents
and enhancing parental support of the education process
remains a primary objective of the Ministry of Education.
Quality of education
- The
Government continues to be concerned about the quality of education provided in
elementary and secondary schools. When compared
with the rest of the Pacific
region, RMI test results on standardized tests are one of the lowest. The
Pacific Islands Language
and Literacy Test (PILL), ranked 70 percent of the
Grade 4 population of the Marshall Island in the “at-risk” category.
These students scored below standard in basic numeracy, English and Marshallese
literacy and comprehension.
Source: A Digest of Marshall Islands Education Data, MOE, 1999.
- The
entrance test results of secondary school leavers entering tertiary level also
indicate that students are not acquiring requisite
academic knowledge and skills
within the school system. At the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), only
about 30 percent qualify
for college-level courses; the rest are required to
take a special intensive remedial training program in English and Math.
- In
addition to the shortage of trained teachers, staff reductions under the Public
Sector Reform Program (PSRP) have had an adverse
impact on the education sector,
especially in the operation of outer island schools. The reshuffling of teacher
engagement/termination
authority from the MOE to the Public Service Commission
(PSC) has proven to be a major obstacle in improving educational
performance.
- In
general, the public does not hold teachers in high regard. Teacher and
administrator absenteeism, low staff moral, inadequate
teaching materials and
lack of supplies also contribute to poor student performance.
- A
significant factor undermining quality of education is a lack of community
participation. Many parent-teacher associations (PTAs)
struggle to get parents
even to come to the school; communities seem to be of the opinion that
government is solely responsible for
their children’s education.
- In
the 1990’s, the Ministry of Education introduced a Community Based
Governance System (CBGS) to increase community involvement
in elementary
education. The CDGS gave local governments greater control over management of
public schools and increased opportunities
for participation in policy-making
and maintenance of facilities. It was thought that the CDGS would improve work
habits of teachers
and administrators by making them more accountable at local
level. Despite some improvement in community participation in a few
areas, this
initiative was terminated because of the lack of local capacity for management
responsibilities.
- The
MOE believes improving education in the Marshall Islands is contingent upon
parents understanding their critical role in the education
process and getting
more involved. Lately there have been positive signs that community engagement
in education is increasing.
For instance, parents have shown willingness to
accommodate off-island teachers working in outer-island public schools and have
agreed
to increase registration fees to accommodate new land lease
arrangements.
- Another
factor that constrains access to education is the lack of space available to
build additional schools needed to adsorb the
increasing student population.
There is little available land in the overcrowded urban centres and the
traditional land tenure system
creates management difficulties for education
authorities. Financial constraints make it difficult for the MOE to pay land
lease
payments and to deal with landowners who request land payment increases.
In some instances this has resulted in schools being closed
by irate landowners
or school properties being repossessed as private property, further reducing the
access rate.
- The
poor and often unsafe condition of many school facilities and grounds further
constrains access to education. Lack of resources
to address the deteriorating
condition of schools has rendered numerous classrooms and facilities unsafe for
use. Almost 90 percent
of all public school facilities are over 20 years old;
most have had little or no major maintenance work.
Early childhood education
- Since
1991, early childhood education has been provided by the Head Start Program,
administered by the Ministry of Education and funded
through annual U.S. federal
grants of approximately $2 million. While Head Start is intended to cater for
children aged 3 to 6 years,
high demand has restricted enrolment to 5 year olds.
As such, the Head Start program operates as a kindergarten rather than a
pre-school
service. Head Start programs are located in 28 centres throughout
the country; teachers are specially trained in early childhood
education.
- Although
the Head Start program is the only public provider of early childhood education
in the Marshall Islands, many private primary
schools also offer kindergarten
services. There are also a few private pre-school centres operating in Majuro
and Ebeye. Statistics
on the total number of children attending kindergarten
programs are not currently available.
- Tuition
in Head Start centres is free; children are offered a meal program and basic
medical examinations. Support and counselling
services are available to parents
and caretakers if required. Recent skill-level tests conducted by Pacific
Resources for Education
and Learning (PREL) in Delap Elementary School indicated
that students who had been through the Head Start program had better early
learning skills scores than classmates who had not enrolled.
- Given
the critical importance of the early years in overcoming disadvantage and
developing attitudes and competencies required for
later success in school,
plans are in place to expand the Head Start Program by increasing enrolment
incrementally over several years.
Non-formal, vocational and tertiary education
- Pre-vocational
training is offered through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), a twoyear
program concentrating primarily in life-skills,
computer studies and
English/math proficiency. The WIA is a school enhancement program intended to
provide students not successful
on the High School Entrance Test with another
education alternative. Vocational services are also provided through
secondary-level
programs, certificate and degree programs offered at CMI,
research, planning and policy-related services offered through the RMI
National
Training Council; US grant-funded activities such as the School-to-Work Program
and the Pacific Vocational Education Improvement
Program; and community-based
skill development projects.
- To
address the significant skill gaps in the RMI economy and the increasing level
of unemployment and social unrest evident in the
youth population, the National
Vocational Training Institute, targeted at secondary school dropouts and school
leavers is currently
being developed and implemented by the MOE with support
from the ADB.
- NGOs
also provide non-formal education and skills development programs. Waan
Aelon in Magel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) provides training to young
people in traditional canoe building and sailing skills and modern boat
repair.
In conjunction with the College of the Marshall Islands, the program will soon
offer a certificate program in Fibreglass
Boat Building/Repair and Woodworking.
The primary objective of Waan Aelon in Majel is to provide at-risk youth
with skills that are relevant to the needs of the outer islands. It also
provides remedial courses in
Basic English and numeracy to ensure that its
graduates are more employable at an international level. The program also works
closely
with an international hotel and the Marshall Island Visitor’s
Authority to support and provide tourism related activities.
- Another
NGO that provides non-formal education is Jõdrikdrik Ñan
Jõkrikdrik Ilo Ejmour, or Youth-to-Youth in Health. This
program targets out-of-school young people between the ages of 14 and 25 and
provides training
on reproductive health issues, violence, substance abuse,
depression and suicide. Youth are also trained in basic counselling skills,
health promotion, community development and popular theatre. Though no formal
certificate is given, the program has been successful
in enabling former
participants to obtain employment in the health and education sector.
- The
College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), the University of the South Pacific (USP)
Extension Program and the University of Guam
provide tertiary education.
Although accreditation of the CMI was in jeopardy due to administrative and
teaching deficiencies, it
was recently determined that the College will retain
its probationary status through the US Western Association of Schools and
Colleges
while improvements are underway. Students at CMI are mostly funded
under the US federal Pell Grant Program.
- Marshall
Island students also study at US based institutions on scholarships funded
primarily under the Compact agreement. While
1,614 students were awarded
scholarships from 1988 to 1999, only 245 students 15 per cent completed
their program of studies. His
low completion rate is generally attributed to
the fact that many RMI post-secondary students lack the academic skills needed
to
succeed in college. Even among those who complete their program, levels of
educational achievement is quite modest. Scholarship
recipients should be
encouraged to study agriculture, marine science and other disciplines required
for economic development.
B. Leisure
- Government
recognises that children’s play areas are severely lacking in both Majuro
and Ebeye and need to be expanded. Stakeholders
also emphasize the need to
further develop organized sports to provide youth people with greater
opportunities to get involved in
healthy activities.
VIII. SPECIAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Exploitation
- The
Minimum Conditions Inquiry Act, also known as the Child Labour Law has been
amended to prohibit employment of a person under the
age of eighteen. This law
was passed because of the Government’s concern over the visible use of
child labour, especially
in familyrun businesses in urban centers. Other than
children assisting parents in the operation of retail outlets, there have been
no obvious infractions of this law.
IX. CONCLUDING COMMENTS
- On
behalf of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, we would like to thank the
Committee for reviewing our achievements and challenges
in implementation of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. As a Government, we remain committed to
promoting and safeguarding
the welfare of children and families. We look
forward to continued work with the international community in building our
capacity
to respond to the needs of our
children.
-----
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