In Kapoeta North County, Eastern Equatoria State, many school-going children are abandoning classes to engage in gold mining and market activities in Kapoeta South County, to support themselves and their families.
Mr. Sadik James Akaliho, the County Education Director for Kapoeta North, revealed that many children are trekking to Kapoeta South in search of income through mining, while only a few remain in school. He expressed concern that this trend is jeopardizing the future of these children.
‘The education system is okay, but the only challenge we face is that many children are not attending classes. They resort to mining, rearing animals, or scaring birds in farms. Some are irregular in attendance, which will affect them during examinations.’”
Sadik blamed parents in Kapoeta North for shifting family responsibilities onto their children, who are forced into mining and struggling in market areas to earn a living—acts he says are ruining the children’s future. ‘I blame parents for giving work to children. Many come from Kapoeta North to the South for mining or loiter in the market in the morning hours. Some go to gold sites, engaging in other activities and forgetting about school.’”
He urged parents to prioritize education and called upon the state government to launch mass awareness campaigns about the importance of schooling.
‘Parents should not involve children in business activities. They must send them to school. The government needs to organize awareness programs to inform parents about the value of education, while teachers should focus on completing the academic syllabus.’”
Sadik spoke to Radio Emmanuel in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
