In Nigeria, village head introduces fine for children at mining sites during school hours
In Nigeria, Isa Akpu, the village head of Gbedo-Umme in the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has introduced a fine of 50,000 naira for parents whose children are found at mining sites during school hours. The decision is intended to prevent parents from involving children in mining instead of education, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Community decision
Akpu said that parents would be responsible for their children's attendance at classes and would be punished if their children did not go to school. He announced the new rule ahead of the resumption of classes, and village announcers were instructed to inform community residents.
According to the village head, the decision was made at a community meeting amid concerns over the growing number of school-age children involved in mining work. He said that some parents brought their children to mining sites for auxiliary work instead of sending them to school. In Akpu's view, this practice contributes to a decline in the level of education in the community.
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Children at mining sites
During a visit to a mining site in Kodoro-Umme, the publication's journalist saw children, some of them as young as six, working alongside their parents. Twelve-year-old Ibrahim Kasim said that he earns about 3,000 naira a day from mining.
At the same time, Aisha Danladi, a mother of four, said that the children were at the sites because schools had not yet resumed classes. According to her, most of the children seen at the mining sites came there with their parents and would not be there after classes begin.
