With almost a month left to the 2016/2017 financial year, education stakeholders are optimist about the forthcoming national budget despite the fact that the previous one saw a budget cut of Rwf 5.1 billion to Rwf 209.3 billion. Because of that development, some departments were forced to revise their expenditures downwards.

The Education Times has learnt that, as law makers discuss the details of the 2016/17 budget in the Lower House, parents, teachers and students from various schools are already expressing mixed feelings on what to expect.

Some leaders are, for instance, concerned that the allocations given to secondary schools are still low compared to their needs.

"This money is not enough and it includes the salary of teachers which for long we have been complaining about. I wish the budget could address that issue this time around,” says, Diogene Mvuyekure, the head teacher of G.S Busengo in Gakenke District.

On average, secondary school teachers earn Rwf100,000 per month but this is higher compared to primary schools, where some teachers earn as low as Rwf40,000 as basic monthly salary.

Teachers like Protais Umurengezi from G.S Rugando, argue that without upgrading the remuneration of teachers in the budget allocation, the quality of education could be compromised.

"The current monthly salary alone is not enough to cater for teacher’s needs. As way of motivating them, more funds should be set aside for them in the 2016/17 budget,” he says.

Muyenkure points out that the costs of running a secondary school are higher compared to primary schools, but the allocations under the capitation grant have for long not addressed the problem.

"Whether primary or secondary, the same amount of money is given. It is indeed challenging because the expenditure on secondary students is much higher than that of primary. For instance, one box of chalk can be used within one week in a secondary, while in primary it can cover the whole month,” he explains, adding that: "

The delays in disbursing this fund costs schools a lot because of relying on credit to run the schools.”

Address bottlenecks in the school-feeding programme

Ordinarily, part of the capitation grant is expected to cater for feeding thousands of leaners in schools but concerns have been growing in relation to the figures.

While the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Olivier Rwamukwaya, earlier on pledged Rwf100 per day per vulnerable student under the 12-Year Basic Education (12YBE) programme to cater for their lunch, starting with the first term of the 2016 academic year, this development has not materialised.

Some parents are even concerned that this could miss out in the budget, only to make the huge burden fall on their heads.

"Already it is not clear whether we shall be contributing money to feed our children. This discussion has been going on for long and we only wish it could be addressed in the budget,” says Ruth Umurerwa, a parent in Kabuga.

A similar survey that was released by the corruption watchdog Transparency International last year raised similar concerns.

From 17 schools in 8 districts, some vulnerable families were being requested to fully contribute to the school-feeding programme at a cost ranging between Rwf 36,000 and Rwf 135,000 a year per student, yet only some 40 per cent of the parents can afford this contribution.

But other teachers believe that if the overall allocation given to each student is improved, such hiccups would be addressed.

At G.S Nkurura in Musanze District, each student receives an allocation of Rwf 1,533, but the school head teacher Diogene Bazimaziki only wishes this could be doubled because demands among students are increasing too.

"For instance, if the feeding challenge is not addressed, the learning of students is affected. Alternatively, the budget should boost both farming in schools. If the school had a garden, feeding would not be a very huge issue,” says Bazimaki.

Ministry promises support

When contacted about the concerns, Solange Mukayiranga, the director-general in charge of planning at the Ministry of Education, said plans are underway to address issues around feeding of students.

"The programme has been worked on, and there are few changes included in the 2016/2017 budget,” says Mukayiranga. Asked about the category of schools to be supported, Mukariranga added that although the programme previously focused on students in boarding schools, all students will this time be included in the coming budget.

"The programme has been focusing on those students in boarding schools. But now in the forthcoming budget all will be catered for with special attention on those from poor backgrounds,” she adds.

Invest in infrastructure development and special projects

Other parents believe that some of the school structures are growing old and the budget should set aside an allocation for putting up new structures and renovating old ones.

Neymar Ndayishimiye, a teacher at Apper Complex School in Kicukiro, suggests that a special fund is needed because the growing numbers is straining the limited facilities.

"It is evident that the number of students is increasing. Construction of new classrooms and renovating old ones is an important aspect in that perspective. If we are to do this, we definitely need more money instead of waiting for accidents to happen because of poor buildings,” says Ndayishimiye

He further explains that the implementation of special projects in schools should be allocated a special fund.

"Any serious project to be done in schools needs a huge investment. Most schools only have to rely on the budget to have these projects moving,” he adds.

However, parents like Jeannet Nyiransabimana from Remera believe that good infrastructure is not enough without proper motivation of teachers.

"I wish planners would find a way of allocating more resources to all teachers. Some private teachers also need to enjoy privileges from the government,” says Nyiransabimana.

Education stakeholders may have high expectations for the coming budget but most experts believe that with proper planning, sectors can use the limited resources available to perform well.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Which areas in education need more funding?

Shalom Ngabo, an engineer

I think areas such as pre-school require more funding. Teachers at this level do a lot of ‘tough’ work because it is where a child is supposed to be moulded to fit in other classes and careers. The government should include money in the coming budget to provide incentives to motivate teachers more.

Daniela Gatesi, a final year student in education at University of Rwanda

As a teacher to be, I believe the budget allocation to education should include money to reward hard working teachers as a way of motivating them. Also, focusing more on buying teaching aids is very important so as to make sure the school doesn’t run out of teaching materials.

Joel Kanimba, a parent

Sports should be supported more because it helps students who may be academically weak to get motivated and grow their other talents. There should be a fund to support those who excel in sports locally and internationally to empower them to contribute to national development.

Millie Kayitesi, a part-time teacher

This coming budget for education should be increased compared to the last one so that areas such as higher learning can be allocated more funds for research. Students at this stage need a lot of materials to help them cope well in their studies.

Aminadhad Niyonshuti, a teacher at Apaper School

The government should give more support to public schools that also cater for students with disabilities. This is because such kids need a lot of support from their surroundings.

Compiled by Lydia Atieno