School Principals Raise Alarm Over Child Labor in Gold Mines.
In Musoli village, Ikolomani, the sun sets with golden hues, and the land holds stories of hidden treasures. Here, children aged 12 to 17 risk their lives daily, searching for precious metals in gold mines. These boys and girls wade barefoot in rivers, scooping and sieving sand in hopes of finding gold nuggets. In addition, they sell their finds to unscrupulous businessmen at throwaway prices. Alarmingly, some schoolgirls suffer sexual abuse in exchange for gold dust.
This disturbing trend has drawn the attention of school principals and community leaders, who are raising the alarm over the high rate of school dropouts. Therefore, underage students are leaving school to work in gold mines, jeopardizing their future.
“Gold mining is undeniably the main economic driver for families here. They use whatever they earn to support their families and pay school fees for their children,” said Everlyne Shinali, the principal of St Anne’s Musoli Girls High School. Shinali stressed the urgent need to protect young children from the negative impacts of gold mining. “As a mother, teacher, and community leader, we must find ways to shield our young primary and secondary school students from these hazards.”
Shinali pointed out that absenteeism and early school dropout rates are alarmingly high in gold mining areas, undermining educational standards. “The allure of quick money from gold mines is strong. Children abandon their education to work long hours in hazardous conditions. For many poverty-stricken families, even a small extra income feels like a lifeline,” she added.
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Shinali urged security chiefs in gold mining areas to ensure children stay in school and avoid working in mines. “Young women, including schoolgirls, often face sexual abuse in gold mines. This must stop,” she asserted. Shinali called on both county and national governments to implement laws and policies, including the Gold Processing Bill, 2023, to protect schoolchildren from the adverse effects of gold mining.
Casper Mumia, headteacher of St Paul’s Shibuye Boys Primary in Shinyalu constituency, shared his experiences: “I visited several mining sites and found my students working in dangerous conditions, using rudimentary tools, risking their lives for meager earnings.” He noted a significant increase in student dropouts, especially in the last two years. “It’s not just about immediate financial gain; it’s about the long-term impact. These children are sacrificing their future for short-term benefits.”
Meanwhile, school principals continue their relentless campaign to bring children back to school. Rich gold deposits have been discovered in areas such as Malinya, Rosterman, Shirumba, Kilingili, Shipeso, Isulu, Bushiangala, and Sigalagala in Shinyalu, Lurambi, and Ikolomani constituencies. These discoveries have exacerbated the child labor problem.
In conclusion, the rising issue of child labor in gold mines in Ikolomani poses a severe threat to the education and well-being of young children. Therefore, community leaders, school principals, and the government must collaborate to protect these children from exploitation and ensure they stay in school. Addressing this crisis requires immediate action, strict enforcement of laws, and comprehensive support for affected families.
School Principals Raise Alarm Over Child Labor in Gold Mines.
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