School Principals Raise Concerns Over Dropout Rates Due to Gold Mining
In Musoli village, Ikolomani, the sun sets with a golden glow, hinting at the treasures hidden beneath the earth. Here, hundreds of children, aged 12 to 17, risk their lives in the gold mining fields instead of attending school.
Boys and girls alike wade barefoot in rivers, scooping and sieving sand in hopes of finding gold nuggets. Any gold they discover is sold at minimal prices to unscrupulous businessmen, and some schoolgirls face sexual abuse in exchange for gold dust.
This alarming trend has caught the attention of school principals and community leaders. They have raised concerns about the high dropout rates among underage students who leave school to work in gold mines.
Everlyne Shinali, principal of St Anne’s Musoli Girls High School, highlighted the issue, noting that while gold mining is a primary economic activity for local families, it comes with severe consequences.
Families rely on the income from mining to meet their needs and pay school fees, but this economic benefit comes at a high cost.
Shinali emphasized the importance of protecting children from the detrimental effects of gold mining. She pointed out the high rates of absenteeism and early school dropouts in mining areas, which erode education standards.
The lure of quick money from the mines tempts children to abandon their education for hazardous work. For many impoverished families, even the small income from mining is seen as a lifeline.
Shinali urged local security chiefs to ensure children stay in school and are not found working in the mines. She also called on the county and national governments to implement laws and policies, alongside the Gold Processing Bill, 2023, to safeguard school-going children from the negative impacts of gold mining.
She highlighted the sexual abuse of young women and schoolgirls in the mines as a critical issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
Casper Mumia, headteacher of St Paul’s Shibuye Boys Primary in Shinyalu constituency, shared his experiences from visiting mining sites.
He found several of his students working in dangerous conditions with rudimentary tools, risking their lives for minimal earnings.
Mumia noted a significant increase in student dropouts over the past two years, emphasizing that the immediate financial gain comes at the expense of the children’s long-term future.
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Meanwhile, school principals continue their relentless campaign to bring children back to school.
Rich gold deposits have been found in areas such as Malinya, Rosterman, Shirumba, Kilingili, Shipeso, Isulu, Bushiangala, and Sigalagala in the Shinyalu, Lurambi, and Ikolomani constituencies.
The challenge remains to protect the youth from the hazards of gold mining and ensure their education is not sacrificed for short-term financial gains.
School Principals Raise Concerns Over Dropout Rates Due to Gold Mining
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