A total of 1,748 Burundian refugee children in Mahama Camp located in Kirehe District last week finished the first stage of formal education under the Early Childhood Development (EDC) programme and are set to join Primary One next year.

According to Geoffrey Kayonde Serwada, the associate country director of ADRA Rwanda, the closing of the EDC level symbolises crossing the education bridge to a higher level.

"This change is reflected in the new learning environment, such as from sitting on mats to using desks, from pre-writing to word and sentences writing and pre-reading to reading books, among others” he said.

Kayonde noted that the children had worked hard and accomplished the ECD programme, thanks to the combined effort of parents, caregivers and development partners.

Kayonde called upon all the stakeholders to encourage children and motivate them as they begin their education journey.

"Children still need support; this requires all partners to play their role. Parents are key in increasing the enrolment rate and attendance of children. The partners are playing their role which needs to be supported by parents. EDC is very important in preparing the children for the long journey in education.

All the future concepts are introduced in EDC, which helps the assimilation of knowledge in primary. Children who have undergone ECD study without repeating classes. It is the foundation of education just as a house cannot stand without a foundation. Therefore, let’s build the foundation of our children on a hard rock which begins from ECD,” Kayonde said.

Samuel Ndayambaje, the in-charge of education at ADRA, said there has been tremendous growth in the education of Burundian refuge children, adding that the children had exhibited outstanding performance in subjects like English and Kinyarwanda.

Jacqueline Nzaramba, the in-charge of ECD at the camp under Care International, said the programme focuses on children aged three to six, adding that not only does EDC look at knowledge but also children’s physical changes and health.

At least 2,175 Burundian refugee students sat national examinations this year, including 847 at primary level, 1,114 students at O-level and 214 at A-level. At least 18,684 students of school-going age are registered at Mahama camp under the Rwandan education system.

Since July last year, the Burundian children have been undergoing induction programme courses in English, French, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Mathematics, as well as sports and civic education to help acquaint them with the Rwandan education system.