C ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES Public Welfare Assistance Scheme 485. The Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS) implemented by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, provides for the protection of vulnerable families through the provision of various services, which include: bursaries schemes for children whose families are unable to send them to school; medical schemes and food security packs. 486. The Table below shows the total number of beneficiaries of the Scheme, from 1995 to 2003: Table 21: Beneficiaries of the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS) Year Total Male Female Male % Female % 1995 127,407 51,959 75,448 40.78 59.22 1996 130,072 53,418 76,654 41.07 58.93 1997 35,081 13,638 21,443 38.88 61.12 1999 59,423 25,201 42.41 57.59 2000 59,424 25,202 34,222 42.41 57.59 2001 95,043 40,260 54,783 42.36 57.64 2002 108,983 44,915 64,068 41.21 58.79 2003 105,043 43,361 61,682 41.28 58.72 Total 720,476 297,954 422,522 34,222 Source: Ministry of Community Development and Social Services 182