KUALA LUMPUR: The government should not delegate the sole responsibility of ensuring children safely arrive at taska and tadika to nursery owners.
Melaka Tengah Children's Court Advisor Sheila Abdullah instead called on the government to fully enforce the Child Act 2001 and penalise negligent parents to serve as a stronger warning to others.
"It is your responsibility to inform us if your son won't be coming today. Why is it that now, if they don't come, I have to make the call? These parents admitted that they forgot (meaning they were negligent).
"It is unfair that whenever things death or whatever happened at the nursery we were quick to be blamed and condemned.
"But the ministry didn't even emphasised the part where parents could be charged for being negligent in their infographic (on tips to avoid children being left in the car)," she said when contacted.
Sheila believed that the full enforcement of the Child Act 2001 would help parents understand and be more aware of the consequences of neglecting their children.
"I am not suggesting taking immediate action against the parents while they are mourning. It would be advisable to wait until they have completed the burial and other necessary arrangements.
"Afterward, you can meet with them to convey that what they did is an offence, and you must take action under the Child Act.
"By handling it this way, when such actions are taken, parents all over Malaysia will start to realize and become aware that their children do have protection," she said.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukir yesterday announced that taska and tadika will soon have to call parents immediately if a child is absent from class.
This measure aims to avoid parents leaving their children in vehicles, a response to the increasing cases of child fatalities resulting from forgetful parents.
Shiela, who is also the former Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (PPBM) president said many childcare centers are already taking the initiative to call parents whenever their children don't come to the childcare center, but some don't do it diligently.
While not denying the benefits that the move can offer, Sheila, however, hopes that the government will provide further clarification on the standard operating procedures (SOP).
"By 9:30 am, we will be busy as the caretakers start a host of activities with the children. When do you think they will have time to call parents?
"My caretakers are not allowed to use their phones because they need to focus on the children.
"Only the supervisor and the head caretaker can have their mobile phones.
"So there is a need for better clarification on the SOP. For example, the ministry needs to provide a cutoff time. Let's say if the children are not in by a certain time, then only the nursery should check in," she said.
