The village head said the measure is intended to discourage parents from allowing their children to engage in mining at the expense of their education.
The village head of Gbado Ummeh in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Isah Akpu, has imposed a N50,000 fine on parents of children found at mining sites during school hours.
Mr Akpu warned that parents would be held responsible for children not attending classes and sanctioned accordingly.
He announced the measure ahead of the resumption of schools, saying town criers had been directed to sensitise residents across the community.
Mr Akpu said the decision was taken at a community meeting following concerns over the growing involvement of school-age children in mining activities.
He said some parents had been taking their children to mining sites to perform menial jobs instead of sending them to school.
“We have met at the community level and decided that any parent whose child is caught at the mining site during school hours will be fined N50,000,” Mr Akpu said.
According to him, the practice was contributing to the declining standard of education in the community, as some parents were putting immediate financial gains ahead of their children’s education.
“We will not allow our children to place money above education at this early stage,” he said.
During a visit to a mining site in Kodoro Ummeh, our reporter noticed children, some as young as six, working alongside their parents.
One of them, 12-year-old Ibrahim Kasim, said he earns about N3,000 daily from mining.
“I make N3,000 daily, which I use to make a living,” Kasim said.
But a mother of four, Aisha Danladi, said the children were there because schools were not in session.
She said most of the children seen at the mining sites were accompanied by parents and would not be there when schools resume.
