Dear Editor,
I previously voiced my displeasure at the daily sight of an innocent child whose duty it is to assist his begging and mentally challenged mother, but absolutely nothing has been done by the relevant authorities as the child continues to be denied an education and a better standard of living. This child, who is about four years old, has literally grown up on the road, and while he seems happy and excited to be in public despite the dangers of moving vehicles, his innocence is being violated daily and this perhaps will have a psychological impact on his adult life. His routine at the Anna Regina car park on the Essequibo Coast constitutes an entire day’s work, inclusive of the hostile conditions of being exposed to the sun and rain. This situation must not be allowed to continue in light of the government’s commitment to protect and preserve the rights of the child.
I am therefore appealing to the Department of Education in Region Two and the Ministry of Human Services to intervene, so that this child can experience his childhood pleasures like the other kids at school and his future as a literate individual can be safeguarded.
There are several cases of truancy along the Essequibo Coast where children are being forced to stay away from school because of poor living conditions and their parents’ need for them to be engaged in economic activities for their very survival and that of the family. It is not a pleasant sight, considering the many social and economic challenges confronting the country and in light of the parliamentary opposition’s wish to have the government’s budgetary allocation curtailed. It is my hope that the school welfare officers assigned to Region Two will have a more attentive approach to combatting this increasing trend of parents neglecting their children’s education, and in particular, having this child from the Anna Regina car park removed into the classroom.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Minister Jennifer Webster of the Ministry of Human Services for any comment she might wish to make.
