Covid 19 Sees 1 517 Students Nationwide Become Orphans

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-NSTP file pic, for illustration purpose only.KUALA LUMPUR: It is a sad fact when 1,517 students nationwide become orphans because of the death of one or both their parents from Covid-19.
The Education Ministry said the figures between March last year and August this year were quite unfortunate and appropriate measures need to be taken to rectify their plight they had found themselves in.
"Although this number is small compared to the five million students nationwide, the welfare of all children of Covid-19 victims is still taken seriously.
"The ministry, through the state Education Departments, district Education Offices and the respective school managements are sensitive to the fate of students who had lost their parents," said a spokesman.
He added that the ministry had set up the Student Teachers Welfare special squad at the ministry level to ensure immediate action and help is channelled to the affected groups.
"Various help is channelled immediately, including financial aid from the Poor Students Trust Fund and food supply aid under the Supplementary Food Plan for those who are eligible as well as placing students in hostels under the auspices of the ministry," he said.
Prior to this, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun revealed that 33 children nationwide were identified by the ministry as orphans after their parents died from Covid-19.
Information involving the children's fate, she said, was received through collaboration with the Health Ministry.
Rina had assured that the authorities will ensure the welfare of the children is taken care of by providing the necessary protection so that their future is secured.
She had said her ministry had placed children in need of protection because of their predicament from Covid-19 in seven institutions according to zones nationwide.
The institutions are at Rumah Kanak-Kanak (RKK) Pokok Sena, Taman Sinar Puteri (TSP) Batu Gajah, Melaka, TSP Cheras, Rumah Budak Lelaki (RBL) Melaka, RKK Mini Kelantan, TSP Kota Kinabalu and TSP Kuching as child placement centres for children either temporarily or permanently. - NST

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