for the achievement of qualifications for males and females.290 In addition, States must adopt legislation and policies to ensure the same admission criteria for males and females at all levels of education.291 The admission criteria may, however, in accordance with the principle of substantive equality, take into account existing economic, social, cultural and gender inequalities. In this regard, States should promote and encourage the enrolment of members of under - represented gender groups and provide support to increase the academic preparation and performance of these students. However, school access alone does not equate to gender parity, as the mere quantification of girls registered for school does not reflect the substantive idea of “gender equality”. Rather, promoting high-quality education based on the study and daily practice of human rights is essential to the mounting of an effective resistance to all forms of exclusion and discrimination.292 Further, States must ensure that both sexes have the same opportunities to benefit from scholarships and other study grants.293 The elimination of de facto discrimination and inequality may require States to take affirmative action in the form of creating scholarships and other study programmes to enable girls to access higher education. Curricula Progress on gender equality is related to the content and quality of education.294 States must ensure, on a basis of equality of males and females, access to the same curricula, the same examinations, teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard and school premises and equipment of the same quality.295 Further, curricula for all students must promote equality and non-discrimination and eliminate any stereotyped concept of the roles of men and women in society.296 Educational policies devised in accordance with human rights must promote curricular development that calls for girls to participate, with syllabuses and curricular that 289 See term of reference (i) for a more extensive discussion of these obligations and their content. CEDAW article 10(a) and (e). 291 CESCR General Comment No. 16: The equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights E/C.12/2005/4 11 August 2005 at para 30. 292 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education Girls’ right to education E/CN.4/2006/45 8 February 2006 at paras 61 and 63. 293 CEDAW article 10(d). 294 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education Girls’ right to education E/CN.4/2006/45 8 February 2006 at paras 98 – 99. 295 CEDAW article 10(b). 296 CESCR General Comment No. 16: The equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights E/C.12/2005/4 11 August 2005 at para 30 and Special Rapporteur on the right to education Girls’ right to education E/CN.4/2006/45 8 February 2006 at para 105. 290 108