CM: School for pregnant teenagers will proceed
MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam yesterday defended his suggestion for pregnant teens be placed in a special school.
Replying to a question raised in the state assembly sitting, he said the state government was serious about helping pregnant youngsters.
The state government was determined to set up such school, he said adding that Pantai Kundor assemblyman Datuk Ab Rahaman Ab Karim had been appointed chairman of the school with immediate effect.
Ali, however, did not elaborate on the school, saying that details were being worked out.
He said the school would be set up as soon as possible despite criticisms.
"I am not suggesting it merely for fun but it is based on the views of many quarters obtained during a recent seminar on social problems held here."
Believing that there were no outright solutions to the problems, Ali said the move could assist the teenagers in one way or another.
"The school will take care of the needs of pregnant teens and this, indirectly, will rid of negative perception against them," he said to a question by Chua Kheng Hwa (BN-Bemban).
Ali added that there was no harm in having such a school.
"It is done with good intention and I believe this is encouraged not only by Islam but also other religions to address social problems involving our youngsters."
The Malacca Religious Council (MAIM) had also given its thumbs-up for the establishment of the school.
"This was agreed upon during a meeting between MAIM leaders and representatives of several political bodies and non-governmental organisations in the state."
Statistics showed that rape cases in the state stood at 112 last year and 40 cases were reported in the first six months of this year.
On baby dumping cases, Ali said only one case was reported last year while three had been reported so far this year.
"This is very worrying. They are scared to tell their parents for fear of being scolded and ostracised. In the end, they give births in secluded spots and dispose of their newborns. We must put a stop to it and this is the very reason why we want to have the school."
The proposal, however, did not go down well with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
In a statement, the ministry said the move was not the best solution to address the issue of baby dumping.
Instead, a more practical solution would be to allow pregnant teenagers to defer their schooling and make arrangements for them to be placed at a new school after maternity leave.
It also said segregation of teenagers from mainstream education would result in social stigma towards them.
"Moreover, the school will always be labelled by society as an institution for teenagers who are pregnant out of wedlock," the statement said.
Although the proposal was seen as a preventive measure to the problem of abandoned babies, it should be studied comprehensively to avoid other implications which may affect the children, families and the society.
It added that the proposal to encourage children and teenagers to marry with the support of the state government would be seen as condoning child marriages.
"The ministry is firm on its stand that child marriages should not be encouraged as they are detrimental to the development and well-being of the child."
It added placing a heavy burden of parenthood on children would also affect the child's psychological, emotional and physical development.
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Bad husband and wife relationship News-Habitual wife beater kills wife
ONE INUSAH Yakubu, a resident of Tensungo, a suburb of Bawku in the Upper East Region, has allegedly beaten his 30-year-old wife, Hamida Abdullai to death.
According to a source close to the family, a quarrel ensued between the couple last Thursday, which resulted in the husband beating the wife into unconsciousness, as a result of which she was rushed to the Bawku Hospital, where she died.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Abdullai Khasim, told our source that INUSAH Yakubu, who has since gone into hiding, has persistently been beating his wife, compelling her to sometimes run away to her family house.
According to some residents of Tensungo, during the latest incident, they heard the cry of the woman but felt reluctant to go to her rescue, because they were fed up with the continuous beating of the wife by the man.
They said anytime they rescued the woman and advised the man to stop his barbaric act, he would not listen to them.
The neighbours only went to the scene when the wailing and screaming of the woman increased and heightened, but their presence was rather too late.
According to some residents, the cause of the scuffle was the man’s alleged accusation that the wife had stolen his money.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the morgue of the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga. The couple has been married for eleven years and has 4 children.
The police in Bawku have confirmed the murder and said they suspect foul play.
According to a source close to the family, a quarrel ensued between the couple last Thursday, which resulted in the husband beating the wife into unconsciousness, as a result of which she was rushed to the Bawku Hospital, where she died.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Abdullai Khasim, told our source that INUSAH Yakubu, who has since gone into hiding, has persistently been beating his wife, compelling her to sometimes run away to her family house.
According to some residents of Tensungo, during the latest incident, they heard the cry of the woman but felt reluctant to go to her rescue, because they were fed up with the continuous beating of the wife by the man.
They said anytime they rescued the woman and advised the man to stop his barbaric act, he would not listen to them.
The neighbours only went to the scene when the wailing and screaming of the woman increased and heightened, but their presence was rather too late.
According to some residents, the cause of the scuffle was the man’s alleged accusation that the wife had stolen his money.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the morgue of the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga. The couple has been married for eleven years and has 4 children.
The police in Bawku have confirmed the murder and said they suspect foul play.
NEWS about family problem
Family argument turns deadly in Union City; man killed, stepson arrested
Posted: 09/15/2010 06:47:07 AM PDT
Updated: 09/15/2010 07:23:18 PM PDT
UNION CITY -- A family quarrel turned deadly when a 55-year-old man shot and killed his 57-year-old stepfather in the driveway of their home, police and relatives said.
Humberto Diaz, a well-liked construction worker, was slain about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after he returned to his home in the 600 block of Whipple Road, said his stepdaughter Elizabeth Colon.
Diaz was shot twice with a small-caliber gun and died at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where he was being treated for his wounds, said Lt. Kelly Musgrove, a spokesman for the police department.
Stepson Luis Rick Sanchez was arrested at the scene. He confessed to police who recorded his statement using their video cameras, Musgrove said.
Family members said the motive for the killing was sparked days earlier when Diaz demanded that Sanchez move out of his home because of a sexual relationship Sanchez was having with a relative, said Colon, who is the 52-year-old sister of the suspect.
"Everyone knew about it, but nobody talked about it because in Hispanic families; that is like airing your dirty laundry," she said Wednesday.
Diaz and Sanchez were both living in the home, along with other relatives, including two children who were home at the time of the shooting, but didn't witness it.
Diaz had been married to Sanchez's mother, Bonita, for more than 30 years and is credited with being a stabilizing figure in her family, Colon said.
"He was a good man, a great person" she said, fighting off tears. "He was good to our mother, everybody liked him."
The argument that led to the shooting apparently started Sunday when Diaz gave Sanchez an ultimatum to move out or he would tell people about family problems, Colon said.
It escalated on Tuesday when Diaz returned home from work, she said.
The disagreement became heated and then moved to the driveway where Sanchez shot Diaz twice in the torso, police said.
When officers arrived, they found the victim struggling to breathe, and the suspect standing nearby.
Police said Sanchez complied with all of the officers' orders and was arrested without incident.
Colon said Sanchez is one of five siblings, all of whom were raised in Union City's Decoto neighborhood. Colon's mother married Diaz a few years after their father died.
"I know it's weird to think that I am taking the side of a person who is not (a blood relative), but a person like (Sanchez) is someone I don't even want to be related to," she said.
Posted: 09/15/2010 06:47:07 AM PDT
Updated: 09/15/2010 07:23:18 PM PDT
UNION CITY -- A family quarrel turned deadly when a 55-year-old man shot and killed his 57-year-old stepfather in the driveway of their home, police and relatives said.
Humberto Diaz, a well-liked construction worker, was slain about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after he returned to his home in the 600 block of Whipple Road, said his stepdaughter Elizabeth Colon.
Diaz was shot twice with a small-caliber gun and died at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where he was being treated for his wounds, said Lt. Kelly Musgrove, a spokesman for the police department.
Stepson Luis Rick Sanchez was arrested at the scene. He confessed to police who recorded his statement using their video cameras, Musgrove said.
Family members said the motive for the killing was sparked days earlier when Diaz demanded that Sanchez move out of his home because of a sexual relationship Sanchez was having with a relative, said Colon, who is the 52-year-old sister of the suspect.
"Everyone knew about it, but nobody talked about it because in Hispanic families; that is like airing your dirty laundry," she said Wednesday.
Diaz and Sanchez were both living in the home, along with other relatives, including two children who were home at the time of the shooting, but didn't witness it.
Diaz had been married to Sanchez's mother, Bonita, for more than 30 years and is credited with being a stabilizing figure in her family, Colon said.
"He was a good man, a great person" she said, fighting off tears. "He was good to our mother, everybody liked him."
The argument that led to the shooting apparently started Sunday when Diaz gave Sanchez an ultimatum to move out or he would tell people about family problems, Colon said.
It escalated on Tuesday when Diaz returned home from work, she said.
The disagreement became heated and then moved to the driveway where Sanchez shot Diaz twice in the torso, police said.
When officers arrived, they found the victim struggling to breathe, and the suspect standing nearby.
Police said Sanchez complied with all of the officers' orders and was arrested without incident.
Colon said Sanchez is one of five siblings, all of whom were raised in Union City's Decoto neighborhood. Colon's mother married Diaz a few years after their father died.
"I know it's weird to think that I am taking the side of a person who is not (a blood relative), but a person like (Sanchez) is someone I don't even want to be related to," she said.
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