THE Education Ministry is assuming responsibility for the education of over 300 children rescued through Op Global, effective Oct 1, said Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said that a special curriculum would be developed for these children, as many have not had access to formal education.
“The education process will take place at their current shelters, where they are being cared for and protected. At present, their 3M skills—reading, writing, and counting—along with their psychosocial well-being, are being assessed.
“Once this evaluation is complete, the ministry will fully take over their educational needs,“ she told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly today.
Fadhlina added that the special curriculum would be organised into three groups: preschool, primary, and secondary school levels.
On another matter, Fadhlina said that the ministry was planning to take action against parents who left their children with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) welfare homes.
She said the ministry’s legal team is currently reviewing the matter, as the parents had failed to provide the children — some of them found sexually or physically abused — with formal education, as stipulated by the Education Act 1996.
“Children being denied education is a serious issue especially when the Education Act and education policy make it compulsory,”
“We will provide updates from time to time if action is taken [against the parents,” she said.
Last week, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department raided 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan associated with GISB Holdings and rescued the children and teenagers, aged from one to 17.
Police said preliminary investigations found that the children who resided there were not only allegedly sodomised by the caretakers, but also taught to perform similar acts on the other children at the home. - September 23, 2024
