I WISH to respond to IDB’s “Uniformed beggars — Don’t exploit them in quest for funds” (NST, July 21). This practice of forcing children to collect donations for school projects has been going on for a long time in spite of laws that forbid it.

The schools and the Education Department have turned a deaf ear to Section 32 of the Child Act 2001, which reads:

“Children not to be used for begging, etc. Any person who causes or procures any child or being a person having care of a child allows that child to be on any street premises or place for the purpose of :

a) begging… or offering anything for sale;

“…commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or to imprisonment to a term not exceeding two years or both.”

This has been totally ignored. But ignorance of the law is no excuse. The children are also exposed to moral dangers because they are free to solicit funds and donations during the evening, weekends and school holidays.

We have been reading practically every day in the newspapers of children being abused, molested, raped and kidnapped. Who is going to carry the blame when a child becomes a victim in the course of collecting donations?

I am sure the Education Ministry is in a position to provide the allocation for the school that is in need to update its library, repair or replace the fencing, toilets and purchase chairs, tables, etc.

This practice of forcing school children to solicit funds must be stopped immediately.

Instead of employing children, the school could organise a food and games fair, a jumble sale of used clothing, books, shoes, etc with the help of parents, the Parent Teacher Association and the community.

K.N. DAMODARAN, Kota Tinggi

Source: NST – July 31, 2008