ASSESSMENT OF ARTISANAL GOLD MINING EFFECT ON BASIC EDUCATION IN BURERA DISTRICT

Abstract

Artisanal gold mining provides employment for many people worldwide and in Africa. In Rwanda, it mainly contributes to the economy of the nation, but at the same time it may positively or negatively affect other sectors. It is with this regards that the present study focused on “Assessment of Artisanal Gold Mining effect on Basic Education in Burera District” The major objective was to assess gold mining effect on Education of miners in Burera District. Specifically, the study has investigated the school education level of gold miners’ communities, assessed status of school enrollment and attendance in local schools of gold mining area as well as the level of understanding and implementation of government basic education policies in Burera gold mining area. Research design was qualitative and narrative approach was adopted for data collection. The study population included gold miners and local community to capture needed information. Data collection used one-to-one interview and focus group Interview. Data was analyzed by thematic analysis method. Our study shows that most of gold miners do not attend primary school and those who attend do not complete required basic levels. Gold mining does not affect school enrollment and attendance in the area of study, however it influences dropout on continuation up to secondary level. The Inhabitants of gold mining area understand the policy of basic education and parents enroll and support young children for the primary education. However, some parents do not give much value to education but they value the income generated from gold mining. Gold mining activity is a major source of income in the studied area and it appears to create a dilemma where by the youth have either to be involved in it or to continue the study from primary up to other level of education . The study recommended miners, parents and teachers to put an emphasis on education of their children on the importance of education and parents must be made aware that it is their responsibility to bear the cost of their children’s needs. It also emphasize on adult curriculum for reading, accounting and writing. Furthermore, the study also recommends the diversification of economic activities in mined area so as to increase the opportunity to create new job for the youth.