Young Street Kids Eyed to Return to School
“When our children are on the street, it is about survival, so reorienting them about social skills is crucial,” she said.
Thursday 25 January 2024 | 11:49
The Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection to reintegrate young street dwellers into schools.
Permanent Secretary for Education Selina Kuruleca said there were some street dwellers as young as 10 years old.
She said the challenge of removing children from the street and reintegrating them to the classroom was needed.
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“It is important to understand that this is not an easy task,” she said.
Ms Kuruleca acknowledged ongoing discussions with the Permanent Secretary, Assistant Minister, and Minister of the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection, addressing the complexities of dealing with street dwellers.
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She pointed out the ineffective approach of directly placing children back into the classroom and mentioned exploring viable options, possibly requiring two to four weeks for preparation.
Ms Kuruleca emphasised the need to address social skills and behaviours before focusing on academics
“When our children are on the street, it is about survival, so reorienting them about social skills is crucial,” she said.
She acknowledged there was a significant gap that needs attention and emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing this gap.
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