Jones steps in

THE VEXING ISSUE of wandering Barbadian schoolgirls is to receive the attention of a ministerial committee that will work with agencies falling under the aegis of the Ministries of Education and Home Affairs.

Yesterday, Minister of Education Ronald Jones revealed he had discussions with Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite and one of the efforts would be to initiate the committee that would bring together agencies including the Child Care Board, the Juvenile Liaison Scheme, Probation Department, Ministry of Education, the Government Industrial School and guidance counsellors to try to reverse the trend.

The announcement was met with a hearty welcome by UNICEF Champion for Children Faith Marshall-Harris who said: “It is a great idea, let’s do it. By yesterday it should have been set up.”

Speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION in a telephone interview, Marshall-Harris also expressed caution regarding the suggestion that there was an increase in girls wandering, instead questioning whether it was a case of the incidents being highlighted more. (LK)

Please read the full story in today’s Midweek Nation, or in the eNATION edition.