Children Pushed Out of Schools as Poverty Forces Them into Labor in Rural Liberia

At noon, when the sun is at its peak, a young boy named Nulee dashes between vehicles, offering small plastic pouches filled with chilled water. "Cold water! Get your cold water here!" he shouts in a shrill voice, trying to attract customers.

Once brimming with the hope of education and a promising tomorrow, his childhood has now dimmed due to financial hardship. After last year’s meager harvest from their farm, his grandmother Nowai took him out of second grade to assist the family. Nulee cherished reading and aspired to become a banker. However, his aspirations have since grown simpler.

I must do this just so my grandmother and I can continue having food," Nulee says despondently. (The family names of Nulee and her grandmother are omitted.) "Once you're living this sort of life, escaping seems impossible.

With rising poverty levels in rural Liberia, an increasing number of children are leaving their classrooms and heading into the streets to assist their families financially. This trend poses a significant risk, as experts warn it could trap yet another generation outside the benefits of education—a key factor for overcoming persistent poverty among rural Liberians.

Nulee is acutely conscious of the chances he is not taking advantage of.

When I see my friends heading to school, I feel down," Nulee shares. "Initially, I would conceal myself whenever I encountered them during their school hours. But nowadays, everybody is aware that I have left schooling behind.

Based on the most recent World Bank report on poverty in Liberia The nation is struggling with significant economic disparity. Although three out of every ten city-dwelling Liberians reside beneath the poverty threshold, conditions are far more dire in rural areas such as Bong County, where this statistic escalates to eight out of ten individuals living in poverty. This overwhelming burden of impoverishment compels households to depend on their children for financial stability, frequently sacrificing these youngsters' schooling and welfare in the process.

UNICEF's 2021 report The study revealed that one-third of Liberian children between the ages of 5 and 17 are involved in labor activities, with 30 percent of these children working under hazardous conditions.

"I feel sad when I see my friends going to school," says Nulee. "Initially, I would try to conceal myself when they approached me during sales, but now that everyone knows I'm not attending school anymore, things have changed." - Nulee, a ten-year-old who has dropped out of school

Nulee bears the burden of ensuring his family's livelihood along with the unfulfilled dream of pursuing an education. Clothed in garments rendered threadbare through frequent wear, his youthful existence has been etched by hardship and suffering.

"I adjust my sales according to the season. When the sun is out, I sell cold water; however, during the rainy season, I offer bananas or cucumbers instead," he explains.

It has been over four years since he began residing with his grandmother. According to Nuless, his mother ensured he attended school up until her death in a car crash while she was traveling to Nimba for a wedding in 2020. His father vanished even before Nuless was born, which led his grandmother to take him under her care.

He dropped from school just a year later. "As you can see, my legs are all tired, I do not have anywhere to get money from," says his grandmother Nowai. "Every grandmother wants to see the best for their children and grandchildren but for my case, I have nowhere to get the support I need to help my grandchild."

Nowai recognizes the detrimental effects of removing a child from schooling and expresses her wish that Nulee receives the necessary support to achieve his aspirations. She states, “He is my sole source of optimism, so I am fervently hoping for the best outcome for him.” Nowai explains that she initially had two offspring—a boy and a girl—but after the death of the daughter (who was Nulee’s mother), she now finds herself with a son who lacks focus. This son divides his time between tending to his own children on the farm and moving around constantly.

An increasing number of youngsters in Bong County find themselves compelled to work on the streets to assist their families, with climate change exacerbating this issue by impacting agricultural practices that numerous rural Liberians depend upon for sustenance. Recently, survey A study carried out across five counties by Front Page Africa/New Narratives revealed that 9 out of 10 farmers and their offspring are contemplating moving away because of erratic climate conditions that render agriculture unsustainable. In these circumstances, when families migrate to urban areas, they often rely on their children selling goods on the street to make ends meet.

Teachers in remote regions are becoming increasingly concerned about the rising number of students dropping out of school.

Mr. Josiah B. Kollie, the district education officer for Fuamah School District, states, “Education is crucial for overcoming poverty, yet the economic struggles encountered by rural households render it unfeasible for students such as Emmanuel to pursue further studies.” He adds, “There needs to be prompt intervention to offer monetary assistance to these families so that kids can remain enrolled instead of being compelled to work.”

Unicef's latest The fact sheet on Liberia indicated that primary school completion increased up to 2022; however, with only 54 percent attainment, it remains among the lowest rates in Africa. Data for subsequent years is not available.

Mr. Kollie emphasizes that parents require greater awareness regarding the significance of education for their entire family unit. Many parents who themselves lacked schooling believe it’s unnecessary for their offspring to attend school as well. The initiatives proposed by Mr. Kollie include offering educational incentives to parents through measures like financial support and locally driven educational programs. Additionally, he encourages the government to collaborate with regional stakeholders to develop enduring resolutions.

Education is crucial for escaping poverty, yet the economic struggles experienced by rural households render it unfeasible for students such as Emmanuel to pursue further studies. Urgent measures must be taken to offer financial assistance to these families so that kids can remain enrolled in schools instead of being compelled to work. —Mr. Josiah B. Kollie, district education officer at Fuamah School District.

Civil society groups argue that this escalating issue reflects poorly on various administrations. According to Prince Eric Cooper, the Bong County coordinator for NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, “The increase in child labor in Liberia stems directly from the inability to tackle widespread poverty and economic disparity.” He further explains, “These kids wouldn’t be out working if they could get a decent education. It’s crucial for the government to implement strategies that bolster rural areas, and we as civil society have a duty to ensure accountability.”

As the sun dips below the horizon in Lower Bong City’s Salala district, Nulee remains silhouetted against the fading light, his work incomplete. Each day, he manages to sell about two packets of water, bringing in an income ranging from LD 300 to 400, equivalent to either $1.50 or $2.00.

Following each day’s sales, he hands over the earnings to his grandmother for purchasing groceries. Nulee aspires to return to school and resume studies from first grade, where he left off; he remains optimistic about regaining the chance to chase his aspirations.

This tale was a result of collaboration. New Narratives Funding for this project was provided by the American Jewish World Service. However, the donors did not have any influence over the story’s content.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).