One in three children left home alone after school in East Municipality

In the East Municipality, one in three children is left home alone after school until their parents return, as revealed by a recent survey conducted among students from third to tenth grade.

The results are included in recommendations made by a working group to the East Municipality regarding the organization of offerings for students in primary schools. The findings indicate that 30 percent of children are unsupervised at home after school, and 17 percent do not participate in sports or other extracurricular activities.

Furthermore, 31 percent of parents believe that the variety of leisure offerings could be improved, while a significant 79 percent feel there are too few options available in East Municipality. Most parents express a desire for a community center and a youth house to better serve their children.

The survey also indicates that children are not playing outdoors as frequently as they used to after school. Instead, many are left alone at home until their parents return.

The report suggests that this trend does not support good mental health, well-being, or community engagement. It recommends that East Municipality allocate funds towards promoting mental health, well-being, development, and prevention for children and young people.