138. Education, including technical and vocational education, is provided free of cost up to the tertiary level for all children. Every child has the right to enrol in a school after attaining the age of 6. The Government provides free tuition, textbooks, stationery, midday meals and boarding facilities where required. This policy stems from the Royal Government's belief in the importance of education for national development. The Royal Government of Bhutan is further convinced that education is a prerequisite for improving thequality of life of its people at large. Although primary education has not been made compulsory since universal access has not been achieved as yet, the Government has allocated resources progressively to the education sector. Educational facilities are being established to the maximum extent of available resources.

32. Child labour in the modern and industrial sectors does not exist in Bhutan. However, children do provide a helping hand in the farms. Having achieved an enrolment ratio of 72%, even this is limited to small chores during school vacations. The Regulation for Wage Rate, Recruitment Agencies and Workmen's Compensation, 1994 prohibits employment of any kind for children.

29. The minimum age for eligibility for marriage is 16 years for women and 18 for men as per section Kha 1-14 of the Marriage Act, 1980. Marriage of children below the age specified above and those persons responsible for arranging such marriages are liable forpenalty in accordance with sections Kha 1-11 and Kha 8-20. Registration of marriage is compulsory by law and no marriage registration certificate is issued by the court to anyone who has not attained the age of majority as per section Kha 1-11 and Kha 1-14 of the Marriage Act,1980.

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