Lately, it has been alleged that the children in the returnees’ Camp of Nemba, Bugesera District in the Eastern province are being mistreated. These boys and girls have returned home and would like to enrol in school immediately.

However, life has been made very difficult for them because schools strictly require report cards of the last term from their previous schools –which many do not have. This means that theses children cannot return to school as soon as possible. This mistreatment is not only psychologically torturing them but also degrading because many of these children are former exiles who came back home expecting to receive hospitality and are instead being paid with disregard. When they compare themselves to their peers who are in school, it really upsets them.

I appeal to the ministry of Education to consider these children especially those at primary level and make registration in school less cumbersome. Whether one has a report card of the former school or not, I suggest that they should be placed in the very classes they wish to be and let the end justify the means. If they have chosen to come back home, that means they were tired of exile. So, let them not be also traumatised at home. Remember every child has a right to education.

BUGESERA