GISBH: ABIM HELWA SUPPORTS MOE'S MOVE TO ENSURE CONTINUED EDUCATION OF AFFECTED CHILDREN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) Women's Affairs (HELWA) supports the steps taken by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure the continued education of the children of GISB Holding Sdn Bhd (GISBH), who were rescued through Op Global.

ABIM HELWA vice president Fatin Nur Majdina Nordin in a statement said it is in line with the right of children aged 18 and below to obtain education, protection, security and well-being in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

"This action is necessary to ensure that the children placed in the shelter do not drop out of learning during the investigation period which takes a long time.

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"These children should follow the national education standard curriculum with the application of the 3M basic skills (reading, writing, counting) and other skills so that they can build resilience to face future challenges and not be left behind or left out in society," she said.

Yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Ministry of Education will take over the education aspect of the more than 300 children rescued through Op Global from Oct 1 and the education programme for the dropout children, who did not receive any formal education before, will use a special module in their current place of shelter.

Meanwhile, Fatin Nur Majdina said ABIM HELWA is also ready to help in terms of emotional and psychosocial support and the community is also encouraged to give support and opportunities to the children to get out of the crisis that has dragged them to exploitation, neglect and persecution.

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"ABIM HELWA also suggested that organisations involved with children and the community as a whole can establish child protection policies and child protection committees in their respective organisations so that issues related to children's safety and well-being are given primary attention.

"This is in line with the recommendations outlined in the National Child Protection Policy. The safety and well-being of children is the responsibility of all Malaysians," she said.

Since the first phase of Op Global was implemented at the beginning of September, more than 300 individuals including GISBH's top management were arrested, 572 victims were rescued while seven were brought to court on 29 charges.

-- BERNAMA