EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA—As Rwanda’s looks to grow and harvest its education system and knowledge-based economy, a recent rise in school dropouts have caused crisis for Eastern Province.

Vice-mayor in charge of social affairs for Rwamagana Alphonsine Murekatete has expressed concern over dropouts, still persistent in the district, during a recent townhall meeting with educators and district officials.

A recent survey carried out by the district shows a total of 3647 primary schools dropouts, and 146 in secondary school. While the substantial decrease in dropouts from primary to secondary school was encouraging, the overall figures were not.

"School dropout is still a big challenge in the district,” Murakatete said.

"Head-teachers must come forward to explain where these children have gone. You are accountable to these children and to the money allocated to them by the ministry.” She warned that district authorities would not bear to continue seeing mistakes and keep quiet.

"I have been seeing children moving during studying hours, why?” she asked.

"Even teachers just moving up and down in town during class time, why?” She wondered again.

"Head-teachers must get rid of lazy teachers before the district authorities swing into action. We shall be writing to you over your mistakes for the first time and by the time we write to you for the second time your will have lost your job,” she threatened. District director of education Daniel Karinganire urged educators to keep quality education a top priority.

"What we need is quality education and in partnership of all, especially parents and teachers. I am optimistic we can achieve quality education,” Karinganire said.

Other issues discussed during the meeting included forthcoming national exams, problems faced in schools, management of school funds and the role of the administration in education with specific reference to executive secretaries.

Angelique Uwineza, head teacher of Groupe Scholaire Ruhunda said dropping out of school was common and due to ignorance of parents who took children out of school to look after cows or go fishing and or other domestic work.

Rwamagana has 20 Secondary schools, 14 of which are government funded. It also has 48 primary schools.

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