{{Gatsibo district authorities have warned students against abandoning classes to engage in mining activities with intention to earn quick money.}}
The affected areas include Rwimbogo Sector where high rate of school absenteesm has been reported in schools in the area.
The district authorities told IGIHE that such mining activities require mature people not young children.
The high demand for expensive minerals coupled with handsome returns has attracted more people including children in the area.
A resident told IGIHE that some students have dropped out of school to be able to engage in mining activities where they earn quick money.
However, Mushumba John the Executive secretary of Rwimbogo Sector told IGIHE that in a recent children census, 63 students had abandoned school to engage in mining jobs, but of these, 48 children have returned to school.
Mushumba said, “sector residents are sensitised on the benefits of enrolling children in schools. We also conduct frequent surveys at mining sites to ensure there are no children involved in mining”.
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