The National Office for Child and Family Services (NOCFS) has counselled 55 parents of street children across Port Moresby from October 13 to 21, securing signed commitments to prevent children from roaming the streets.
The exercise marked the completion of Phase 4 of the Street Children Response Program in the National Capital District (NCD), focusing on family tracing and parental engagement.
Related news: https://www.pnghausbung.com/street-kids-parents-counselled/
During the exercise, officers from the Joint Task Force Committee on street children conducted awareness activities in hotspot areas, including Gerehu, Waigani, Tokarara, Hohola, Gordons Market, 9 Mile, Erima, Sabama, Konedobu, Manu, Taurama, Badili and Koki.
The committee identified 55 parents whose children were classified as street children.
The parents were counselled, provided with food rations and asked to sign agreements with NOCFS committing to prevent their children from roaming the streets.
NOCFS Director Jerry Wap said the parents had made commitments through the agreements.
“We’ve identified 55 parents and had them sign agreements with the NOCFS,” Mr. Wap said in a statement.
“Of the 55, Moresby North-West had 26 parents, Moresby North-East 18 and Moresby South, 11 parents.”
Mr. Wap said the agreements clearly stated that parents must not allow their children to roam aimlessly on the streets of Port Moresby again, warning that there would be consequences for failing to meet their responsibilities.
He said the initiative was not intended to scare, threaten or intimidate parents but to educate them about children’s rights and remind them of their duties and responsibilities as primary caregivers.
According to Mr. Wap, Phase 4 was important because some of the 235 street children identified during a 2024 survey had returned to the streets, highlighting the need to hold parents accountable.
“Now we are targeting the parents so that they see the magnitude and importance of the situation. Parents must take responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of their children,” Mr. Wap said.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/national-office-for-child-and-family-services-targets-parents-as-it-pushes-to-keep-kids-off-streets/
He said school-aged children should be in classrooms rather than on the streets, particularly as the Government was providing free education.
Mr. Wap added that some parents remained reluctant to sign the agreements, while Phase 4 of the program would also be extended to other regional centres across the country in the near future.