THE Region 2 Department of Education, in collaboration with the Regional Administration (E/bo Coast), conducted a truancy campaign between Maria’s Lodge and Riverstown on February 6, and nabbed 24 children who were not attending school.Senior Schools Welfare Officer Mr. Haimraj Hamandeo said the reasons given for the children not attending school ranged from financial issues to child labour to illnesses to attend funeral services, and finally to just plain children dropping out of school.

He said the Schools Welfare Unit issued parents with warning letters which emphasised the consequences that attended children being denied the right to an education, and some parents with financial difficulties were advised to visit the Schools Welfare Unit to obtain a letter recommending that they be given Government Public Assistance through the Ministry of Social Services.

Mr Hamandeo said the names of all the truant children will be sent to schools in the respective areas where the children are living, and checks will be made to ensure they are attending school regularly.

He said two cases were referred to the Child Care & Protection Agency (CHPA) for their intervention, and the Regional Labour Officer had cause to issue a warning letter to a sawmill owner for employing two teenage boys.
Written By Rajendra Prabhulall