C) Factors to consider when designing a national system
Under what practical arrangements are other persons granted international protection (such as refugees)
have access to the labour market? Can this serve as a reference for the case of stateless persons?
Are foreigners holding a similar residence permit than that issued to stateless persons (if relevant) required
to obtain a work permit or any other specific permission prior to be employed?
If yes, the law should exempt stateless persons from this obligation.
Are there specific provisions in place to facilitate the access of certain groups of foreigners (for example
refugees, family members of nationals, etc.) to employment?
If yes, the scope of these favourable provisions should be extended to stateless persons as well.
VII.3 Access to education
A) Summary of international standards
The 1954 Convention requires that stateless persons enjoy the same rights as nationals to elementary education
and treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally
in the same circumstances with respect to education other than elementary education.102
B) Existing good practices
Access to education is another crucial element of a protection status, which for many provides an opportunity for
successful integration and social mobility. At the time of writing, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Moldova and
Spain provide a good practice example of unrestricted access to all levels of education (primary, secondary
and higher), as in these countries stateless persons enjoy the same rights as nationals in this respect (including
access to state-funded higher education and scholarships). In most other states, unrestricted access is ensured to
primary and secondary (but not to higher) education, under the same scheme as for nationals.
C) Factors to consider when designing a national system
Under what practical arrangements do other persons granted international protection (such as refugees),
and their children have access to public primary, secondary and higher education? Can this serve as reference
for stateless persons?
Do foreigners holding a similar residence permit to that issued to stateless persons (if relevant) face any
limitation in accessing public primary, secondary and higher education?
If yes, the law should exempt stateless persons from this limitation.
Are there specific provisions in place to facilitate the access of certain groups of foreigners (for example
refugees, family members of nationals, etc.) to state-funded public education and/or scholarships?
If yes, the scope of these favourable provisions should be extended to stateless persons as well.
102 See 1954 Convention, Art 22
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