Restarting the academic year at the same time receiving new students will require more classrooms to deal with congestion, officials say.

Government has shifted the beginning of the academic year to September from January following the prolonged schools closure due to COVID-19 effects.

Starting this year, all schools will begin the first term in September. The new directive is for primary and secondary education

This implies that students are going to double, especially in primary one as new children will join primary school.

If nothing is done, the classrooms could get more congested than before.

Many parents found employment that will enable them provide for their families. File.

It is in this context that the Ministry of Education in partnership with World Bank, has launched the construction of 406 classrooms and 543 latrines in Kicukiro District with aim to decongest classrooms.

The first phase of constructing 68 classrooms and 78 latrines was launched in Masaka sector, Rusheshe cell on Monday at the cost of Rwf459 million.

The second phase will construct 338 classrooms and 375 latrines.

According to Adalbert Rukebanuka, Deputy District Executive Administrator of Kicukiro District, all classrooms have to be completed before September when the academic year begins.

"The new classrooms will reduce the journey some children had to endure to reach school in other villages. It will reduce congestion because we expect students to double when they start the academic year as new ones will also come in,” he says.

The classrooms will also serve children from 180 families to be resettled in a nearby village being constructed.

"The first phase has to be completed in two months and others in July and August to meet the deadline in September,” he explains.

As pre-primary, primary and secondary schools get more students, plans are underway to increase classrooms.

Currently there is an average of 75 and 100 children in a classroom in primary schools, while they should be between 46 and 50 children as recommended by international education standards.

The Ministry of Education has launched the construction of 406 classrooms in Kicukiro District with aim to decongest classrooms. File.

The government recently got $200 million support from World Bank to construct 11,000 classrooms and 11,600 toilets in three phases which started last year.

Parents share views

Immaculee Nyirangamije, one parent who also got a job at the construction site says: "Our children were walking a long distance of one hour to reach the school located on the other side. They get tired which leads to poor performance.”

Epiphanie Nyanzira, another parent who has four children adds, "When it rains, it affects children going to schools that are located far. But we are going to be relieved. I have also got a job here where I get paid Rwf2, 500 per day. I will be able to afford the basic needs for the children at school.”

Construction of schools has also provided jobs to people who live nearby.

Noel Nshimiyimana says that his family was running short of food until construction works resumed and he was employed.

"When students resume, I will be able to contribute to school feeding,” he says.