The Ministry of Education (Mineduc) has committed to supporting vulnerable parents meet their contributions toward the school feeding programme in 12-Year Basic Education (12YBE) schools.

The support is expected to start in the 2015 academic year, starting January 26, according to the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education.

In an exclusive interview with The New Times, Minister Olivier Rwamukwaya said they will make the contributions through increasing the capitation grant given to schools in order to include support for vulnerable parents.

The vulnerability will be determined through the Ubudehe social stratification scheme, he said.

The contribution toward the programme, which started in August this year, varies between Rwf8,000 and 15,000 per student per term, depending on the school.

However, some families are unable to contribute for even one student while others fail because they have two or more students which increases the burden.

"We understand that there are vulnerable families unable to meet the contribution, we will support them, but we also noted cases of bad faith on behalf of some parents toward this programme,” said Rwamukwaya.

He said that besides money, a parent can offer firewood, foodstuff, or do some work for the school.

Educationists have commended the success of the programme just a term after it was rolled out, saying it greatly reduced the school dropout rate.

Nicolas Nizeyimana, the head teacher of GS Gihinga in Bugesera District, said that 20 out of 28 students who had previously dropped out of school resumed studies when the programme started.

The programme also led to improved performance of students, according to teachers and students The New Times spoke to.

However, despite the success, the programme has encountered several challenges. In Muganza Sector, Nyaruguru District, for instance, 71 students dropped out of school because of frustration resulting from lack of contribution which made them ‘observers’ as their classmates had their meal from school, according to authorities.

Some head teachers have also been accused of denying students the right to attend class because they had not contributed toward the feeding programme.

"The government covers school fees for all students, so no student should be denied to enter class just because they did not contribute for lunch, the head teachers who did so are in the wrong. This programme intends to bring more children to school whether or not they contribute toward the feeding scheme,” Rwamukwaya said.

He reiterated that education in 12YBE is free and that school heads should just continue encouraging parents to fulfil their obligation.

The programme, some parents say, should not be a burden because feeding one’s child is usually the parent’s duty, saying that they should look at the benefits it has brought.

Before the programme was introduced, students would study from 7am to 2pm with no meal in between which proved to be a challenge for learners.

The school feeding programme emerged from National Leadership Retreat of March 2014 and was implemented following a Ministerial Order issued in June.

Figures from the Ministry of Education show that 65 per cent of the students paid their contributions by the end of last term.

According to figures, Kigali city schools performed more than the rest with 83 per cent of the students in 12YBE schools contributing toward the programme, while the Northern Province trailed with adherence of up to 55 per cent.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw