08 Jun 2026

Maun is facing a troubling crisis as an increasing number of children abandon their education to roam the streets.

The disturbing trend has prompted the District Development Committee (DDC) to task the department of Social and Community Development (S&CD) to join forces with the District Child Protection Committee to establish why children are being pushed onto streets instead of being in classes.

The team has also been instructed to map social protection programmes targeting such children. The committee is convinced that if given the right tools, resources and support, the future of these children could be salvaged.

Apprising the DDC meeting on Thursday, Chief Social and Community Development Officer, Ms Iteleleng Motsumi highlighted that the Child Protection Committee had so far profiled 34 children and further interventions had been implemented.

She also stated that they had formed a task force comprising key departments to specifically deal with the matter once and for all.

Some cases, she said had been taken before the police as it was clear that some children had been abandoned by their parents.

“We have reflected deeply on the conditions of some children and realised cases differ as most children have been neglected by their parents while some are dropping from school to roam the streets because of family breakdown, poverty and social exclusion among others,” she added.

Ms Motsumi further noted that out of a total of 34 profiled, two children had been reconnected with their biological fathers, some had been taken back to school while some have been enrolled in rehabilitation centres.

According to her, the profiling was done at a shopping complex in Boseja Ward but the team would also track the vulnerable children at other shopping malls in Maun.

Meanwhile, North West District Commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka appreciated efforts by the District Child Protection Committee and urged members to extend the action to villages surrounding Maun.

A lot, he said was happening in rural areas as children were exposed to hunger, abuse, exploitation and criminal tendencies. ENDS