Gold mining in Siaya county around the nearby lake areas continues to be a major threat to education for children who leave school to go look for money. Despite the efforts put in place by different organizations to curb underage working. The irresistible allure of quick money coupled with high levels of poverty.
Many children in gold mining tend to work to supplement family income, leading to school dropout. They lose concentration on their studies, thinking of earning, and reducing their educational opportunities. Parents tend to choose to prioritize their children’s labor in gold mining due to hardships and limited income sources.
Noise pollution also affects children. When the machine crushers are near the school, they disrupt the school schedules. Many boys do find it easy to drop out of school to get or earn quick money on the mining sites. This money makes them feel like they are adult, forgetting their studies and starting families. The lack of personal needs due to the poverty rate leads to girls dropping out to find money.
They start a young family, which increases poverty rates in the area. The girls drop out of school to start a family. Due to the no knowledge of life, they give birth to several children whom they cannot take care of. This leads to the repeated struggles of life.
On the other hand, many girls who work on the mining site get pregnant early due to the sexual immorality that occurs. Men from the holes of the site tend to give stones or sand in exchange for intimacy. This leads to high rates of teenage pregnancy.
The increase in money in gold mining has a great impact on the community, but education helps one to know how to manage the finances. Parents and the community need to communicate with the children to pursue their studies. Some parents need to be told the impacts of education on children. To build a learned community in the future.
The government should offer scholarships and financial aid towards improving learning conditions. There should be enforced regulations and standards, as well as encouragement of community participation.
