Team finds 48 South Sophia children not in school

On February 28, the Education Ministry’s Schools Welfare Department in collaboration with others visited `E’ Field, South Sophia and found 48 children who were not in school.

A release from the Ministry of Education yesterday said that the team included the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and the Guyana Police Force. They were investigating the absence of school-aged children from school.

The release said that within a few hours and a thorough walk through of the ‘E’ Field Sophia area, the joint team found 48 children who were not in school. During visits to the homes of some of the children, parents and guardians were told about their responsibility to ensure that their children receive an education.

In this Ministry of Education photo, a school welfare officer escorts a child back home.
In this Ministry of Education photo, a school welfare officer escorts a child back home.

The release said that it was noted that more males were absent and that there seemed to be a significant number of secondary school-aged children who were either at home or playing with friends.

The release said that this is the first of many campaigns planned for 2014.