Student loan shark runners

[Ripley]

Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Oct 20, 2009
Student loan shark runners <!--10 min-->
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Dr Ng said police data showed that 136 youths were arrested for loanshark and related harassment activities from October 2008 to September this year. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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STUDENTS made up almost half of the 136 youths arrested for loanshark and related harassment activities in the past year, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen. He also stressed that parents, as primary caregivers, were responsible for what their children do after school. However, schools, playing a complementary role, have been actively taking measures to prevent them from taking part in illegal activities, he said in his written reply to a parliamentary question from Ms Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) on Monday. She had asked how the Ministry prevents youths from becoming runners for loan sharks. Replying, Dr Ng stressed that parents must be responsible for monitoring their children's after-school activities, and the company they keep. 'The reasons for school children being lured into working for such activities are complex,' he said. 'Even as we reiterate the responsibility of parents to mould their children's character, schools can play a complementary reinforcing role in this respect.' Dr Ng said schools raise awareness of illegal activities through formal curriculum, and hold programmes to help students discern right from wrong. When necessary, counselling and support are offered, while disciplinary action is taken as a last resort.

 

[Ripley]

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Posted: 20 October 2009 1412 hrs
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SINGAPORE : The Minister for Education, Ng Eng Hen, said 136 youths were arrested for loanshark-related harassment activities between October last year and September this year. Almost half were students.

Dr Ng shared the statistic in a written reply to a parliamentary question from MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Lee Bee Wah.

He said the reasons for school children being lured into working for such activities are complex.

Dr Ng said parents, as primary caregivers, must take responsibility to monitor the after-school activities of their children and who they are interacting with so as to provide timely guidance.

He said schools can play a complementary reinforcing role. For example, they can collaborate with relevant agencies or authorities to guide students back on the right track. - CNA /ls
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