The Kwaebibirim Municipal Education Directorate has stated that the growing involvement of basic school students in illegal mining (galamsey) and other informal economic activities is becoming a major challenge to education delivery in the municipality.
According to the Directorate, the trend is contributing significantly to rising cases of truancy, with many pupils abandoning classrooms to engage in activities such as illegal mining, commercial motor riding (Okada), and tricycle operations (Aboboyaa) around Kade and surrounding communities.
Officials say the situation is further worsened by substance abuse among some school-age children, as well as peer influence from those already engaged in these activities.
They noted that students who return from such ventures often display money in school, a behaviour that reportedly influences others to skip classes and join them in search of quick income.
Speaking to Citi News, the Kwaebibirim Municipal Education Director, Emmanuel Asiedu Mante, urged the Assembly to urgently introduce by-laws to address truancy, including sanctions for students who register for school but fail to attend classes or sit for examinations.
“We are even asking the Assembly to enact by-laws so that in future if you register and you don’t come to school there will be consequences,” he said.
He stressed that without stronger enforcement measures, the trend could continue to undermine basic education outcomes in the municipality.
Meanwhile, education stakeholders are also raising concerns about teenage pregnancy among schoolgirls, which they say is contributing to increased dropout rates.
Abigail Asor Asante, a former teacher in Kade and now a youth mentor in the area, emphasised the importance of mentorship and guidance for young people to help them make better life choices.
“I believe that we all passed through mentorship to get to this point. At a particular stage, if you don’t get people that are guiding you through it will be difficult and you will not be able to make the right decisions,” she said.
The Education Directorate is therefore calling for stronger collaboration between parents, community leaders, and the Assembly to intensify discipline, mentorship, and community engagement in order to address the growing crisis affecting school attendance and performance.
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