The provision of care and protection allowance provided to children who are still attending secondary school, has been extended with immediate effect.

Cabinet based its decision on a submission by Social Welfare Minister Dr Jiko Luveni, and this extended term will include only those children who have been taken into consideration under the present assessment process of the Department of Social Welfare.

Dr Luveni said the Juvenile Act requires the Director of Social Welfare take into care, children who are under the age of 17 and who are in need of care, protection or control, and other children who are included under the Care and Protection Allowance are those who have been abandoned by their primary caregivers and left with other relatives.

Dr Luveni adds the extension of the allowance period would enable more children to stay in school longer.

The allowance in this category is $25 per month for pre-schoolers, $30 for a primary school child and $40 per month for each child in secondary school.