WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — A total of Frw192m has been awarded to 12 primary and secondary schools which produced the best female students in last year’s national examinations.

The schools drawn from districts across the country received Frw16m each, at a function held in Rubavu district on Tuesday.

The function was organised by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with FAWE Rwanda, UNICEF, and Imbuto Foundation.

The six primary schools; are Kagogo in Burera district, Nazareti, Muhanga district, Gahini, Kayonza district, Hindiro, Ngororero , Rubingo in Gasabo and, Elite of Kicukiro district.
The secondary schools category included Groupe scolaire Bon Conseil in Gicumbi district, Groupe scolaire Matter Dei- Nyanza district, Groupe scolaire  Notre Dame  de Byimana -Ruhango, Ecole de Sciences Infrimiere de Rwamagana- Rwamagana district, Ecole Secondaire Saint Francois de Nyamasheke from Nyamasheke, and Ecole Technique Saint Joseph Nyamirambo from Nyarugenge District.

The minister of state for Primary and Secondary Education Theoneste Mutsindashyaka observed that education for all is the foundation of the country’s economic and social development.

The minister thanked the best performing schools for their role in promoting girls’ education which he said has proved that girls are capable of competing with their male counterparts in class.

"I call upon parents to change the ancient beliefs that marriage is the best diploma for girls. Many parents have got their daughters out of school to prepare them for marriage thus hindering their future contribution to the country’s development,” he said. He lauded FAWE Rwanda for their contribution in promoting science subjects among girls.

"Female students at FAWE are doing very well in sciences and I call upon FAWE Rwanda to increase the number of schools at least one in every province to promote girl education countrywide,” he said. He said that the ministry had put in place strategies to promote girl education and called upon leaders and parents to support the initiative.

"It is amazing to find that eight out of the twelve head teachers of the best performing schools are females. I would also like to thank the Catholic Church for its hard work because most of the best schools were catholic schools,” he said.

Odette Mutanguha, FAWE Rwanda country coordinator said that FAWE will continuously work closely with other partners to help the Rwandan government address gender based inequalities in homes, communities and schools.

"We are committed to supporting Rwanda in its struggle to promote girl education and we congratulate the district Girl Education Task forces which are doing a great job of ensuring that girls enjoy their right to education,” she said.
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