UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF ANDORRA

Broken Chalk has compiled the report that follows. This is to be a stakeholder contribution to the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Andorra. This report will focus on education in Andorra, as Broken Chalk aims to combat human rights violations within the educational sector.  

In the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle, Andorra received 126 recommendations, 60 of which were supported. Three of the recommendations were regarding education. Andorra has supported all three recommendations, demonstrating its determination and commitment to increasing access to high-quality education. It is worth noting that Andorra’s support for three recommendations in the third cycle represents an improvement over the second cycle, where it supported only two and mentioned the third. [vi]

The recommendations included providing full access to various educational fields, as well as social care and healthcare, for children, adolescents, and people with disabilities. Moreover, the recommendations also advocate for equal participation of girls and women in STEM fields and providing women at risk of trafficking an opportunity to pursue their studies and participate in reintegration programs. [vii]

Andorra’s national report for UN-UPR highlights their decision to prioritize children and education by enacting the Qualified Act No. 14/2019. The act was set to safeguard children’s rights and promote their well-being through creating a safe environment and addressing any potential risks that might impact their healthy development. Moreover, the act mandates the development of a national plan for children and adolescents within two years of its enactment. Andorra has made significant strides in enhancing education and youth development. Developing a national strategy that guarantees access to free, high-quality public education within any of the country’s three education systems. [viii]

Andorra started promoting development skills that foster values such as inclusivity, justice, respect and tolerance. The University of Andorra and the Ministry of Education have collaborated to modernize the teacher training programs and added a new master’s degree program for teachers. New modules were created in collaboration with the Council of Europe through long-distance learning. Prevention workshops were set up in schools to address various societal issues. [ix]

In response to the recommendation regarding the rights of people with disabilities, Act No. 27/2017 was enacted. Allowing persons with disabilities to benefit from various social and health services in education, employment and leisure. [x]

 

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50th_Session_UN-UPR_Andorra

 

References

[vi] United Nations. (2020). Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing. Retrieved from https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g20/041/36/pdf/g2004136.pdf 

[vii] UPR Library. Recommendations Received by Andorra (2021). https://upr-info-database.uwazi.io/library/?q=(allAggregations:!f,filters:(cycle:(values:!(%27567eec7b-d5ab-4c36-a712-57c38fae9124%27)),issues:(values:!(%27660e6cc6-8624-4858-9cfd-ae4051da1241%27)),state_under_review:(values:!(pf2ypge88kr))),from:0,includeUnpublished:!f,limit:30,order:desc,sort:creationDate,treatAs:number,types:!(%275d8ce04361cde0408222e9a8%27),unpublished:!f)  

  [viii] National report submitted by paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21. Human Rights Council. United Nations General Assembly, May 2020. http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/HRC/WG.6/36/AND/1&Lang=E  

[ix] European Commission / EACEA / Eurydice, 2024. The European Higher Education Area in 2024: Bologna Process Implementation Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. 

[x] Council of Europe. (2024). Andorra – Observatory on History Teaching in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/observatory-history-teaching/andorra 

Featured Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash

Navigating Linguistic Diversity: Educational Challenges and Strategies in Multilingual Andorra

Written by Frida Brekk

Andorra, a small principality nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, faces several challenges in its education system. With a limited population, access to higher education can be restricted, and the linguistic diversity of Catalan, Spanish, and French poses difficulties for some students. The country also grapples with a teacher shortage, particularly in specialized subjects, and there is a need for more vocational training opportunities.

Andorra. Photo by WallpaperFlare

Achieving educational equity and modernizing teaching approaches are additional areas of concern.

However, Andorra strives to adapt its curriculum to meet the changing needs of the job market while providing a quality education for its students.

Present day Andorra has three official languages—Catalan, Spanish, and French—due to historical, cultural, and geographical influences. Catalan has a strong historical and cultural presence in the region, while the proximity to Spain and France has led to the adoption of Spanish and French as official languages. This linguistic diversity reflects Andorra’s cultural heritage, and the recognition of multiple official languages demonstrates inclusivity, preserves linguistic and cultural diversity, and ensures that the rights and identities of its inhabitants are respected. This language diversity can create challenges in the education system and other sectors of the country.

The linguistic diversity poses challenges as it requires educational institutions to accommodate all three languages to their curriculum and instruction. It can be demanding for students and teachers to become proficient in multiple languages and can result in a heavy workload.

Additionally, Andorra has a multicultural population, and students from various linguistic backgrounds may enroll in schools. This further adds to the language barrier, as students whose primary language is not one of the official languages may face difficulties in understanding and communicating effectively.

The language barrier in Andorra necessitates dedicated efforts to provide language instruction, resources, and support to ensure that all students have equal access to education and opportunities. It also presents opportunities for cultural exchange and multilingualism but requires careful planning and resources to address the challenges that arise due to the linguistic diversity.

Addressing the language-imposed educational challenges in Andorra requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Firstly, investment in language support programs is crucial to assist students in developing proficiency in all three official languages. These programs should provide targeted language instruction, personalized tutoring, and access to language acquisition resources. By tailoring support to the specific needs of students, language barriers can be overcome, and students can improve their language skills. Secondly, providing ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers is vital. Teachers should receive training on effective language instruction strategies, techniques for incorporating language learning across the curriculum, and addressing the unique challenges faced by students from diverse language backgrounds. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, they can better support students in their language development journey. Additionally, curriculum adaptation is necessary to address the needs of students in a multilingual environment. The curriculum should be designed to foster language development in all three languages, ensuring that content is accessible and supportive of language learning. Incorporating culturally relevant materials and diverse perspectives can enhance students’ engagement and language acquisition.

Lastly, promoting equitable assessment practices is important to fairly evaluate students’ learning outcomes. Assessment methods should consider students’ language proficiency in multiple languages and account for their linguistic diversity. Providing clear guidelines and accommodations for students with different language backgrounds can ensure that assessments accurately reflect their knowledge and skills. Overall, creating an inclusive and supportive environment is crucial. It involves fostering a positive school culture that values linguistic diversity and provides opportunities for students to develop proficiency in multiple languages. By investing in language support programs, offering professional development for teachers, adapting the curriculum, and implementing equitable assessment practices, Andorra can address the language-imposed educational challenges and ensure that all students receive a quality education.

Reference:

Everything about education in Andorra. (2021, June 9). Les Bullideres. https://www.lesbullideres.com/post/about-education-in-andorra