Truancy campaign in Region Six bearing fruit

Nov 29, 2010 News

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – The truancy campaign in Region Six is bearing fruit and as a result the attendance of students in schools has seen some improvement.
Schools’ Welfare Officer in Region Six, Dineshwar Jaiprashad said, two years ago the average number of students caught skipping school on each campaign was between 50 and 60, now it has been reduced by 50 percent.
There were 16 campaigns in this administrative region between January 2010 and November 18th. For the corresponding period in 2009, 15 campaigns were held.
Some of the areas where the rate of truancy is highest are Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam, Rotterdam/Edinburgh on the East Bank of Berbice, Cumberland/Betsy Ground in East Canje and Number Seventy-seven Village on the Corentyne. Communities along the Central Corentyne are said to be under control.
Twenty parents were charged and placed before Magistrates’ Courts across East Berbice/Corentyne.
Jaiprashad cited several programmes aimed at sensitizing parents on their role in their child’s education. The need to stay in school was highlighted.
According to him, there are parents who hide behind the single-parent wall thus using their offspring to earn an income. In some locations, school aged children are seen vending wares during school hours.
The Ministry of Human Services is offering a package to single parents where small loans can be had. When necessary, Welfare Officers would make recommendations to the Probation Section for single parent families to get social assistance.
Jaiprashad said that many parents are not conscious of the amount of time they rob their children of education. In the final analysis, the child enters adulthood and must settle for low-paying jobs.
According to him, not so long ago, many went up to the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations level then enter the world of work. Today, it is more competitive and more persons are aiming at higher education. He called on parents to be more responsible in general. “Without education there is no future.”
Each month the schools at all levels are required to submit a report to the Department of Education. This document states, inter alia, the attendance of all students.
In addition, Welfare Officers make frequent checks on school records to identify those who are frequently absent and a plan is put into action. Visits are made to the homes of the ones with high absenteeism and if necessary those who had dropped out of school are re-entered. There are also community visits.
Recently, it became compulsory for all students entering schools, at all levels, to give specific personal information. In the past, persons stated their addresses by just writing the name of the community. Now a lot number, street name among other details are necessary.
Education is compulsory from the age of five years nine months to 14 years nine months but the Ministry of Education is advocating that children start from the nursery level at age three years nine months. In situations where students are above the stipulated age, the Welfare section stretches the limit to ensure that all children remain in school and no child is turned away because he is above 14 years, nine months.
Jaiprashad noted that the Parent/Teacher Association is a vital group and all parents or guardians must be active in this body. The Schools’ Welfare Officer in Region Six is inviting persons who may have knowledge of cases of truancy or school drop-outs to report it to the Department of Education. The telephone number is 333-2594. Any information received would be kept confidential.
Meanwhile, Welfare Officers are also concerned about the loitering of students before and after school hours. Jaiprashad said that they observed several children from different areas on the roadways waiting for particular vehicles.
“Do not wait on ‘shine rides’. Go to school with whatever transportation is available as long as it is safe.” He said this course of action results in many arriving late at school and some amount of work is missed since teaching commences at the beginning of the first period.
Particularly on the last day of school or the day before a major event such as Mashramani or Town Day as well after school sports, dozens of students are seen loitering until nightfall.
He called on parents to pay closer attention to the movement of their children. If necessary restrictions should be placed on the hours they enter and leave the home.

Latest News

Truancy campaign in Region Six bearing fruit

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Anderson ton, Looknauth’s 9 seals dominant 10-wicket win for Harpy...

Romaine Brackenridge joins Slingerz FC from...

Mashramani Street Football Championship kicks off...

Savory falls for 99, joins the heartbreaking...

Martin Massiah elected president of Fruta...

CANOC Executive Committee members visits...

Features/Columnists

A wave of criminal deportees may be coming our way soon

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Renegotiation – one big Guyana laff story

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Truancy campaign in Region Six bearing fruit

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]