By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla promises to be stringent on both parents and children, concerning the increasing number of kids who are no longer going to school.
In a statement through her office, Dladla stated that she had been disturbed that many children were now not going to school, but roaming the streets of the country. “It is disheartening to note increasing numbers of children of school-going age roaming the streets and not attending school,” Dladla said.
Because of that, the DPM cautioned parents and guardians not to abdicate their duties to be involved in the upbringing of their children as positive role models. Dladla reminded the parents and guardians that children were protected in this country by the Children Protection and Welfare Act of 2012.
She promised to deal with parents and guardians who abdicated their responsibilities, as far as their children were concerned, starting this year. “This year, the office of the DPM will up-scale efforts to monitor these children and will implement and enforce relevant provisions of the Children Protection and Welfare Act,” she said.
The DPM further stated that the parents and/or guardians who would be found on the wrong side of the law would be prosecuted. Dladla further condemned the violence against women and children and reminded further reminded the members of the public that gender-based violence (GBV) was unacceptable and was an offence punishable by law. The DPM further wished all children a successful new school year and also wished for their dreams to be fulfilled.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO), among other duties, has a mandate to be a custodian of children and family issues. The DPMO is required to do so by the Children Protection and Welfare Act of 2012.
