The Education Ministry will be responsible for the education of more than 300 children rescued in Ops Global effective Oct 1, its minister Fadhlina Sidek said.

She explained that a special curriculum would be developed for these children, as many did not have access to formal education.

“Teaching and learning will take place at the shelters where they are being cared for and protected. At present, their 3M skills - reading, writing, and counting - along with their psychosocial well-being, are being assessed.

“Once this evaluation is complete, the Education Ministry will take full responsibility for their educational needs,” she told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly today.

Fadhlina (above) added that the special curriculum would be organised into three levels: preschool, primary, and secondary.

The education programme will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase for two months and will be extended to the second phase for the following month if necessary.

Fadhlina said the ministry is taking over the responsibility of the children’s education to ensure, among others, that the children have the opportunity to undergo the same learning sessions as other children.

“We care, we are highly committed to ensuring that these children fully follow their education," she said.

Asked whether action will be taken against the parents of the children concerned under the Education Act 1996, Fadhlina said the ministry was looking into it.

It was previously reported that the police, through Ops Global, rescued 402 individuals, aged one to 17 years, suspected of being victims of exploitation, in raids conducted at 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

- Bernama