PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry may take action against parents of children previously under the care of GISB Holdings (GISB) for failing to provide them with formal education.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry's legal team is scrutinising the issue as primary education is compulsory under the Education Act.
"Children being denied education is a serious issue especially when the Education Act and education policy make it compulsory," she told reporters after the ministry's monthly assembly today.
"We will provide updates from time to time if action would betaken (against the parents)," she said.
On Sept 12, police rescued 402 children during a police raid on 20 welfare homes belonging to GISB, who were allegedly facing various forms of exploitation.
Initial investigations following the crackdown on these homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan suggested that the children were fathered by GISB members.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had said the children should have attended school but instead received education within these homes.
At the same event, Fadhlina said the ministry would take over the education of more than 300 children previously under GISB beginning Oct 1.