A picture of the three siblings which went viral.
MIRI: Investigation will be carried out to determine the truth of a case which went viral online involving three siblings said to be walking from their home in Permyjaya as early as 4.30am to attend classes at SK Anchi.
Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Yunus when contacted yesterday said she had informed the Welfare Department (JKM) and Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS) of the matter for further action.
“I have informed JKM and TBS to investigate the case and see that the children receive the assistance they deserve
should their family be really poor,” she told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The Bekenu assemblywoman said she had been informed by JKM that the family had been receiving RM500 in children aid from the department since April last year.
Apart from the aid, Rosey had also directed the agencies to visit the family and see if the children can be given any other assistance and schooling aid.
“The agencies will pay a visit to the children soon and we sympathise with the family’s situation and what the siblings have to go through,” she said.
And if there is a need to relocate the siblings to a school nearer to their home, the matter should be forwarded to the Education Department through JKM, she said.
According to the information which went viral through WhatsApp, the three children and their six siblings cared for by their father had to walk to school daily, accompanied by their 15-year-old brother.
The 15-year-old brother was said to have stopped schooling due to financial constraint. Sometimes, the siblings hitched a ride from concerned members of the public. The school was said to be about five kilometres from their home.
Meanwhile, TBS Miri after being informed about the matter rushed to the school to obtain further details on the students as well as investigate the matter.
A spokesperson of TBS informed The Borneo Post yesterday that information about the siblings’ home was incorrect, as the siblings were residing in Pujut 6 and not Permyjaya as mentioned by the WhatsApp message that went viral.
Source: http://miri.my/2016/02/25/probe-case-of-poor-students-that-went-viral-rosey/