Influence of Learners' Participation in Artisanal Gold Mining Activities on School Attendance in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of artisanal gold mining activities on learners’ attendance in public junior schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research question: To what extent does learners’ participation in artisanal gold mining activities influence school attendance? The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory. A mixed methods approach, specifically a convergent design, was employed. A cross-sectional and phenomenology designs were used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The target population comprised 84 public junior schools, 84 heads of institutions, 416 teachers, 5,840 Grade 7 and 8 learners, 480 parents, and one Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE. The sample size included 9 public junior schools selected using stratified and simple random sampling, 9 heads of institutions and 1 SCDE selected through criterion purposive sampling, 90 teachers selected using simple random sampling, 48 parents selected using cluster sampling, and 374 learners selected through systematic sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for teachers, interview guides for heads of institutions, SCDE and parents, and focus group discussion guides for learners. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 28 for descriptive and inferential statistics, and NVivo for thematic analysis of qualitative data. Research instruments were validated through face validity, and reliability ensured using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.80. Findings were presented in tables and graphs. Ethical considerations were observed. Findings were presented using tables, with ethical considerations observed throughout the study. The findings revealed that artisanal gold mining activities negatively influence learners’ attendance in public junior schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County through increased absenteeism, child labour involvement, economic pressures, fatigue, and reduced parental supervision. The study concluded that participation in gold mining activities remains a significant barrier to regular school attendance and learner participation in education. The study recommends strengthening community sensitization programmes, enforcing child protection policies, supporting economically vulnerable households, and improving school-based attendance monitoring strategies to enhance learners’ regular attendance in gold mining-affected communities.