programmes run by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon responded to fears raised by the Coalition for the Protection of Children which fears the threatened postponement of the after-school programme will hit children.

Coalition Chairman Ms Sheelagh Cooper blasted Government for spending money on capital programmes like the new prison.

Ms Cooper added that children without peers like soccer coaches could end up in prostitution and drug abuse. She said the new prison would be filled with these kinds of children and asked Government to spend money on preventative programmes and not prisons.

But Ms Gordon assured parents, yesterday, that this after-school programme is not the same programme administered by her Ministry.

She explained that parents of children who attend after-school programmes run by her Ministry in 13 primary schools should not be concerned as these are not in danger of being cut and will continue as usual.

Education Minister the Hon. Dr. Clarence Terceira has also promised to look at the programme which is threatened with indefinite postponement.