SCHOOL CHILDREN AS RUNNERS FOR LOAN SHARKS

SCHOOL CHILDREN AS RUNNERS FOR LOAN SHARKS

23.

Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Education (a) what action is the Ministry taking to prevent school children from being lured into working as runners for loan sharks; and (b) how many students have been caught for such activities in the past 12 months.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Police data indicate that from 1st October 2008 to 30th September 2009, 136 youths were arrested for loanshark and related harassment activities, of which almost half were students.

Ultimately, parents are primary caregivers of their children. They must take responsibility to monitor the after-school activities of their children and know who their children are interacting with so as to provide timely guidance to their children.

The reasons for school children being lured into working for such activities are complex. Even as we reiterate the responsibility of parents to mould their children’s character, schools can play a complementary reinforcing role in this respect.

Schools raise awareness of their students to illegal activities through the formal curriculum and a variety of character development and life-skills programmes in order to teach them to discern right from wrong. The actions taken by schools include counselling and support, and as a last resort, disciplinary actions.

Schools also engage the parents and community to work in partnership in nurturing our young holistically. Schools have adopted a variety of strategies to facilitate communication with parents and keep them informed about the needs of their children.

Schools also collaborate with relevant agencies or authorities to guide students back on the right track. For example, MOE works with the Police to raise awareness at the school level through roadshows in schools and the provision of advisories.

Column: 1639