ESTERN PROVINCE

GATSIBO — Student turn up in several schools on Monday was poor compared to previous terms, school officials said.
Schools with high enrolment like Kiziguro secondary school, Apecom senior secondary and Gabiro high school visited by The New Times, all registered very few students on first day; in spite of the fact that teachers were available.

By yesterday, the numbers were still low. Scores of the available students were preparing to sit their supplementary exams; against the normal procedure of sitting those exams early before the new school term.

Alloys Niyonzima, the academic master of Gabiro high school in Kabarore, said that on the first day most students who reported were those with supplementary exams.

"Many of those who have no exams to do are taking their time; because they know there is no serious teaching currently. But I am sure that a good number will have reported by the end of the week,” Niyonzima said. Sources attributed the low turn up to the abrupt increase of tuition.

However, most head teachers talked to, dismissed the claim, attributing the low turn up to hiked transport fares and the general economic situation; because peasant parents have reportedly not harvested their produce.

"In spite of the increase in school fees, many parents have been asking for vacancies since we re-opened but unfortunately no new students have reported,” said Shadrak Muhirwa, the head master of Gabiro high school.

Another reason for the poor attendance was attributed to the fact that some students sponsored by the Fund for Genocide students [FARG] were yet to be facilitated. Sources at the Sector levels said they had not received the money in time for FARG students.  

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