NKUMBA - More than 700 high school leavers travelled to Nkumba Leadership and Peace Center in Nkumba District, Northern Province last Saturday, to prepare for their University education. Ingando refers to halting normal activities to reflect on and find solutions to national challenges. The group follows another that completed on Friday ahead of the first group that finished early July this year. In a telephone interview, Charles Mukiza, the Communications Officer in the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission said that these students will spend three weeks studying different lessons.
NKUMBA - More than 700 high school leavers travelled to Nkumba Leadership and Peace Center in Nkumba District, Northern Province last Saturday, to prepare for their University education.
Ingando refers to halting normal activities to reflect on and find solutions to national challenges.
The group follows another that completed on Friday ahead of the first group that finished early July this year.
In a telephone interview, Charles Mukiza, the Communications Officer in the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission said that these students will spend three weeks studying different lessons.
He added that this year’s Ingando aims at sensitising these students on the fight against Genocide ideology in schools.
"Following research from the Senate that there was a worrying issue of Genocide ideology in schools, NURC decided that this year the exercise would emphasise the fight against Genocide ideology in schools,” he said.
Other lessons he mentioned include: Unity and Reconciliation, Rwandan History, Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), and the Vision 2020 programme.
Despite being attended by only students who are under government sponsorship, Mukiza noted that NURC is planning to make sure that even those who stopped in Senior Six attend Ingando.
Getting ready to travel for Ingando, Sam Mugabo, a high school leaver who will join the National University of Rwanda next year, said that he was worried of the new harsh life he going in for.
"My colleagues scared me that life is not easy there. I wonder how they survived, but I am ready to make it like they did,” he said.
However, Mukiza told the new students that there was nothing scary or unique, but assured them to acquire a lot to add on what they will take to the University.
"There is nothing good like attending Ingando. These students learn a lot on their country’s history which sets them to become good future leaders,” he added.
According to NURC, approximately 3000 pre-University students undergo Ingando each year. A National Ingando Center was built as a permanent facility for the programmes.
It is a large and modern facility with the capacity to accommodate up to 900 people.
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