Windhoek: The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is gearing up for a comprehensive study aimed at uncovering the factors that lead children to live and work on the streets, focusing its efforts on the Hardap, Khomas, Erongo, and Omaheke regions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the study intends to gather evidence on the prevalence, characteristics, vulnerabilities, and service needs of street-connected children. During a stakeholder briefing in Mariental, ministry economist Paulina Jafet emphasized the study's approach, which involves engaging with former street-connected children, their families, street leaders, and service providers to better understand their experiences and the available support services.

Jafet explained that the study will also scrutinize the role of service providers and the coordination among stakeholders in addressing the needs of these children. The briefing outlined the study's objectives, scope, methodology, and data collection plans, along with identifying focal persons and making practical arrangements for fieldwork.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the Hardap Back to School Programme, presented by ministry social worker Lucy-Ann Paulus. The programme, which began as a pilot in Mariental in 2022, aims to reintegrate children living on the streets back into the education system. It initially placed 47 learners back into schools and has since expanded to support 149 learners, including those from Rehoboth.

Paulus detailed that the Ministry of Education allocated N$1.89 million for the programme's initial phase, covering essential needs such as accommodation, food, uniforms, and transportation. Despite some children being out of school for up to two years, assessments helped determine suitable school placements.

The programme faces challenges, including a need for enhanced psychosocial support, parental involvement, and provision of basic necessities. A monitoring team has been established to track the learners' progress, and efforts are underway to improve the reintegration process and reduce stigma.

The stakeholder briefing is a crucial step in preparing for the main data collection phase of the study.