GUIDELINES FOR BEFORE-AND-AFTER SCHOOL CARE CENTRES

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Acting Minister for Community Development whether there are any guidelines for centres running before-and-after school care and, if not, whether his Ministry will consider formulating the necessary guidelines.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Before-and-after school care programmes cater to older school-going children and have been set up by voluntary and community organisations and private operators to provide care for the children so that they do not get into mischief.

The standard of care and services provided in such centres are determined by the demands and expectations of parents who use the services.

Before-and-after school care programmes are set up on a voluntary basis and my Ministry does not see any need to regulate voluntary action through guidelines, rules or regulations.