Ministry will help rescued children get basic education

 

On Wednesday, police mounted Op Global and rescued 402 children and teenagers, aged one to 17, suspected of being victims of exploitation. (PDRM pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The education ministry is ready to provide education to the 402 children suspected of being victims of exploitation, neglect and abuse at welfare homes owned by a company, who were rescued in several raids in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on Wednesday.

Education director-general Azman Adnan said the ministry would provide opportunities for the children to receive education because primary schooling is compulsory under the Education Act.

“Investigations into the case are still ongoing.

We will wait for the results of the police investigation and see where we can assist to ensure these children receive education just like others their age,

 he told reporters after the 23rd commencement ceremony at Institut Aminuddin Baki, Seremban, today, Bernama reported.

Azman said all Malaysian children aged seven and above are required to receive education, adding that parents who fail to comply with this requirement may face action.

On Wednesday, police mounted Op Global and rescued 402 children and teenagers, aged one to 17, suspected of being victims of exploitation.

Police also detained 171 people, including religious teachers and caretakers, aged between 17 and 64, to assist in the investigation.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had said several victims had been separated from their parents since they were two years old and had not met their parents, who were abroad, including in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, for years at the behest of the company.

Meanwhile, women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri said 223 officers from the social welfare department were helping police manage the 402 rescued children, now reported to be staying in welfare homes in Bukit Beruntung, Cheras and Seremban.

She said some of the children may have never undergone a health check-up and some may be autistic. Welfare officers are trained to take care of such children, she added.

Speaking after attending an event in Kuching, Nancy said the ministry had a sufficient number of welfare officers to provide counselling to the affected children.

She said the ministry would obtain a court order to gain custody of the children.

We have been involved from the beginning in this police operation. The rescued children are in a safe place, under the supervision of the social welfare department and police.

Punishment under Education Act, Child Act 2001

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) office of the children’s commissioner principal assistant secretary Izyan Hazwani Ahmad said parents who send their children to charity homes at a young age can not only be prosecuted under the Education Act but can also be punished under the Child Act 2001.

“Section 31 of the Child Act 2001 provides that neglect involving failure to send children to school may result in heavier penalties.

However, it is difficult to bring these cases to court because of the poverty dilemma, but if there is clearly an element of neglect, the parents can be convicted.

According to the investigation, the residents of the charity home, who are third and fourth generation residents, did not receive formal education, but instead only studied at the charity home, which is an offence.

Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Hartini Zainudin said some parents are unaware of the importance of mainstream education and view charity homes as a sufficient alternative.

The results of a study found 80% of children sent to charity homes are not orphans, but come from families experiencing economic, social and security problems,

 she said. - FMT