Social Welfare Closely Monitor Children’s Education

The Department of Social Welfare will now be moving families with children out of the Family Assistance Program to the Care and Protection Program.

This step has been taken to allow the Department to closely monitor the children's education.

The Interim Social Welfare Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni said there are still many people receiving welfare assistance whose parents were or still are recipients of welfare assistance.

She said the measure has been taken to ensure that these children do not become dependents on handouts as they get older. Dr Luveni adds that they will see that that the Head teachers of the schools where these children attend are aware of the children's background and that special emphasis is given to them.

She said it has been evident that these children drop out of school, remain unemployed, are stuck in poverty and depend on others.

The Children on the Care and Protection Program are assisted up to 18 years and when they reach 16, the Social Welfare Department will closely monitor their process in school by working with their principals.