Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr Aishath Shiham has said that many efforts are being made to help the children under the care of the state become productive and responsible members of society.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Dr Aishath Shiham revealed that there are around 160 children currently under state care, adding that the government has tailor made programmes of necessary training and skills to help them become responsible and productive members of society.
The Minister said a separate department named Empowerment and Employment has been established under the Ministry, specially tasked with helping the children under state care.
"By the time the children in state care are about 14 years old, we can explain to them what line of work they want to go into and what kind of skills they want to learn,” she explained.
In addition, the Minister said the mechanisms are in place for them to receive the required certification of their respective training when they turn 18.
"For example, if there is a child in any of our centers who wants to do water sports or diving, we will transfer them to a place where they can learn such skills. So we are working to get them the required certification from there once they reach 18 years,” she added.
The Minister said 75 children in state care have been assigned to foster families so far under the "Family for Every Child" programme, adding that the children in foster care are closely monitored by the Ministry.