OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN GET HELP

MEASURES are being taken to assist Antonio Harris and his two children following the Sunday Observer story last week about his plight.

Harris, a single father, told the Sunday Observer that following the death of Sophia Johnson, his children’s mother, in 2014, he has been unable to get them into school.

He also stated that after Johnson’s death he could not locate the children’s birth certificate or immunisation records, which for him was a great drawback. Harris further explained that the couple did not live together, and from what he has seen the children have been out of the education system for almost two years.

Following Harris’ call for help, Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora reached out to offer assistance in the form of food and clothing to Harris.

Moreover, one of the first agencies to get on board was the Registrar General’s Department where administrative assistant to the deputy chief executive officer, Sonia Matthews, made contact with Harris to aid the procedure of getting his children’s birth certificate — the main hindrance of them not being in school.

After the Sunday Observer followed up with Matthews on the issue, she said that the information of the father and the children’s particulars were taken. She said the process has been started to get the birth certificates to Harris in short order.

But the Child Development Agency (CDA) has also carried out an investigation into the matter, for which Harris is grateful, yet worried.

“They are now at a home. They gave me a court date which has been put off to December 8, 2015,” Harris said. “I’m worried still, because when I go up to the home and bring something for them to eat I was prevented from giving them. The police lady run me. I get only three days to look for them — Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Trust me, they are like my hand bag. Right now I can’t even eat or sleep, because I don’t know what’s wrong. From I get the age paper [birth certificate] I can send them to school. I don’t want to lose them.”

However, a response from the CDA on Friday stated that it had intervened and is working closely with the family to protect the best interest of the children.

“Following your alerting us, our officers carried out an investigation into the matter. We have, therefore, done an assessment and are working closely with the family through our Children and Family Support Unit. Due to certain confidentiality requirements we can’t say much more at this time,” the response said.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Dr Grace McLean said a child being refused entry into school because of the lack of a birth certificate is wrong.

“A bulletin was circulated to indicate that students should be accepted in all schools, and steps should be taken by the school and the parents to obtain the certificate within a year. The central ministry also helps. This is also a part of the National Students Registration system,” she said.

But, when it comes to being fully immunised, Dr McLean said there is no exception as there may be exposure to illnesses to other students.

“Allowance is made for the birth certificate, but the child must have an immunisation card, as if not, there may be exposure to illnesses to other students. The health centres do facilitate parents to ensure that the children are fully immunised,” she said.

The chief education officer added that parents with issues should contact the Ministry of Education as it provides support for these occurrences.

Additionally, Dr McLean said that having the child out of school for two years is an indictment on the parent, which is punishable under the Child Care and Protection Act.

“The parents have a responsibility to do all that is necessary to get their children in school. The child should not suffer,” she said.

In Harris’ situation, McLean maintained that if his claims are true the school should not have refused them entry, as there are always exceptions to the rule.

“Once the child gets into school, the ministry can make an exception for the child to repeat the lower grades and to be provided with extra support,” she said.

Moreover, Harris said he would be seeking help from the Legal Aid Clinic to assist with his preparation for his December court date, provided by then he would have obtained the birth certificate, the children would be in school, and he can apply for full custody.