HUYE – Staff from the National University of Rwanda (NUR) on Wednesday handed over a cheque of Rwf17million to Huye district leaders as part of the university’s contribution towards the 9-year Basic Education programme in the district.

Handing over the cheque, the NUR Rector Professor Silas Lwakabamba, noted that education is not only critical for economic development but also for security.

"An ignorant population is difficult to govern, such a population can easily be manipulated,” he said. "As a university, we are happy to associate ourselves with this programme and ensuring its success.”

According to sources, members of the NUR academic and administrative staff agreed to contribute 10 percent of their salaries towards the programme.

Dr Julien Gashegu, the president of the NUR Teacher’s Association-APARU said the contribution will come in two phases.

"This is part of the contribution that will get to Rwf34million, we expect to deliver the rest next month,” he said.

Dr Gashegu, who is also the dean of the Faculty of Medicine, said the donation is part of the university’s role in serving the community.

"We are committed to impacting the community around us, we pledge to continue supporting the district in its development agenda,” he said.

According to the district vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, Marie Claire Mukamusonera, the district requires 111 new classrooms and 170 toilets to cater for the new intake of students next academic year.

She commended NUR for its contribution towards the success of the programme.

"This is a big boost, with this money, we hope to engage more workers on construction sites and buy more construction materials so that by January all classrooms will be ready,” the Mayor said.

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