English
Kinyarwanda
Police and local leaders in Kayonza District have warned parents and residents against preventing children from going to school and engaging them in commercial activities.
These actions violate child rights and contribute to school dropouts.
The caution follows recent operations in Rukara Sector where 11 children were rescued from child labour activities.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Alexis Fata, the District Police Commander (DPC) for Kayonza, said that the children were found in Karubamba market carrying their parents’ goods and other related commercial activities.
“In collaboration with local authorities in Rukara sector, we conducted a targeted operation in Karubamba market against child labour and school dropout. Unfortunately, we found 11 children, some of whose parents had prevented them from going to school that day just to carry goods including foodstuff, to the market while others were doing casual work,” the DPC said.
ALSO READ: KAMONYI: Duo arrested over showing movies to minors
Children and their parents were taken to the sector offices where Police and local leaders enlightened them on child labour, parents’ obligation in proper upbringing of children as well as ensuring that children go to school.
The Executive Secretary of Rukara Sector, John Nkunzurwanda reminded parents not to impede their children’s future by preventing them from going to school and subjecting them to domestic chores and other hectic commercial activities.
“These are operations we are conducting with the help of the Police to ensure all children go to school, prevent child labour and other abuses. When this academic year was starting we had over 100 dropouts; most of these children were located and are now back to school,” said Nkunzurwanda.
“Encourage your children to go to school. It is through education that your children will live a better life and also contribute to national development.”
