By Agnes Orang’o
Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) Matungulu Chapter Chairperson has expressed concern over the growing number of young boys leaving school to work in quarries.
Speaking to Education News, Victoria Mulalya explained that a lot of school-going children from Mwisyani and Kalie areas have entered into quarry work to make money at the expense of their education.
“Cases of child labor are many in Matungulu and mostly in areas with quarries. Young children still in primary school are leaving school for these jobs,” said Mulalya.
She further called on the government through the children’s office to take action on the quarry owners who allow the underage children to work at the sites.
Despite the observation that the vice is fueled by high poverty levels, the MYWO boss urged parents to stress the importance of education to their children to deter them from dropping out.
“Some are dropping out in class six, seven, eight and even in high school especially those in day schools. I have rescued several of them and taken them back to school,” she said.
Mulalya asked the government to start school feeding programmes in area primary schools to help retain needy learners in school as a lot of families are unable to afford two meals a day.
