Academic year 2016: 28,336 needy children to receive school materials

In a press conference on Thursday, the Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, Prithvirajsing Roopun announced that a total of 28,336 needy children will benefit from Government’s assistance, estimated to the tune of more than Rs 42 million, through the provision of school materials which will be distributed as from 15 January 2016. The Minister elaborated on the procedures for distribution of school materials for academic year 2016 by the National Empowerment Foundation. The distribution of the educational support materials is expected to start in the regions of Quatre Soeurs and Deux Frères and will be carried out simultaneously in three to four districts and subsequently extended to other regions. The process is expected to be completed by the end of January 2016. Minister Roopun stated that only households eligible under the Social Register of Mauritius will benefit from this assistance which makes provision for the following school materials: school bags, pencil cases, exercise books, rulers, sketch pads, uniforms, socks and shoes. It is recalled that Child Welfare is a key element in the strategy adopted by the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment with regard to the eradication of poverty and economic empowerment of vulnerable families. The adopted approach focusses on three main pillars: Child Welfare and Family Empowerment; Social Housing and Community Development; and Placement and Training.