Tanzania, June 16 -- Geita. In Lwamgasa Village, Geita Region, about 60 children set to start Form One have vanished from classrooms, raising alarm among teachers and local leaders.

Despite strict attendance enforcement, the pull of nearby mining activities is proving stronger than the school bell, threatening the futures of these young students and the community's efforts to keep children in education.

Meanwhile, the government has stepped up efforts to keep children out of mining sites, announcing a fresh crackdown targeting informal mining operations where child labour is most prevalent, even as authorities intensify a parallel push to ensure every child is in school.

Inspection authorities are set to launch operations in unregister...