The School of Journalism and Communications, based at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) will soon be relocating to Kigali, from where it will provide journalism training for practicing journalists.

The Minister of Information, Louise Mushikiwabo confirmed the development last week.

She said the government was doing everything it takes to raise the level of journalism performance in the country which was the main reason behind this move that will see the school move from the Southern Province campus.

"Many practising journalists cannot make it to Butare because of the long distance. If the school is relocated to Kigali, many people will have an opportunity,” Mushikiwaho said in an interview at her office in Kimihurura.

She said the long distance from Butare to Kigali-based Great Lakes Media Centre was also overstretching the lecturers.

"Lecturers at Butare are the same people who provide training at the Media Centre. The distance is long and the relocation will work in their favour,” Mushikiwabo explained.

The Kigali-based Media Center opened in February 2008 to provide journalism training to practicing journalists at a diploma level.

"We found it imperative to bring the school to Kigali because it would help many practicing journalists to be able to upgrade,” said a source from the Ministry of Education yesterday.

Asked how soon the School of Journalism and Communication’s will be moved to Kigali, Education Minister Dr Daphrose Gahakwa declined to comment but referred The New Times to Mushikiwabo.

The media in Rwanda has suffered from a big number of unqualified practicing journalists which has remained a challenge to the industry.

The impending relocation of the School of Journalism and Communication’s, to Kigali where most media houses are established will give practicing journalists an opportunity to upgrade.

When contacted yesterday, Prof. Silas Rwakabamba said: "We are looking into the possibility of taking the faculty to Kigali and see if it would be more advantageous in Kigali than in Butare.”

Rwakabamba said the line ministry was currently looking for the premises where the facility will be established.

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