Children found ‘loitering’ during truancy campaign at Lima, Essequibo

Eight children who were loitering in a street at Lima Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, were nabbed by officers of the Welfare Unit in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

According to Senior Welfare Officer, Haimraj Hamandeo, the exercise was one of several that focused on ensuring that every school child is in school.

Hamandeo said that during the exercise on Thursday at Lima Housing Scheme, it was revealed that many children were in the streets instead of being in school. He said based on interviews with parents of the children picked up, it was revealed that the parents were experiencing financial difficulties and as such are unable to send their children to school.
He said that parents were encouraged to send their children to school despite the challenges and called on parents facing problems to visit the department of education anytime. He assured that welfare officers will do everything to ensure that every child remains in school. Hamandeo did not provide any details of how this would be done. (Indrawattie Natram)