KIGALI - STUDENTS of Ecole Techniques Officiel (ETO) Muhima, which emerged the best in Kigali City in the just-released Senior Six examinations, have petitioned the Education ministry to revise the cut-off points for university admissions.

They want the cut-off points for government-sponsored university technical students scheme to be reduced from 7.0 to at least 5.0.

They say this would help them enroll in universities on government scholarship just as their counterparts in other options.

Currently, the cut off points for technical, agriculture and tailoring students is fixed at 7.0 while those for other students vary according to each year’s performance, and are much lower.

For instance, students offering Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry with points ranging between 2.2 and 3, and 5.0 for those offering human sciences, more often land government education loans.

Olivier Ingabire of ETO Muhima, who emerged among the best performers at his school, might not benefit from the government bursary scheme if the ministry does not reduce the points.

Ingabire explained that he obtained 6.8 points in Electronics but he would not be considered because he had missed the cut-off point by only 0.2 points.

"We are like any other Rwandan student but why are we discriminated against? Many of my friends will also not afford to further their studies," he lamented.

Thoégéne Maniragaba, an A-level student of automobile mechanics at ETO Muhima, is equally concerned that their counterparts elsewhere are given priority yet they deserved equal chances to the scheme.

School authorities also have the same complaint.

Françoise Gahama Sibomana, the Director of Studies, said that since students are equal, they should be given equal education opportunities.

He said that they petitioned the Education ministry about the problem, and the latter promised to consider the matter. "They (ministry officials) assured us that technical students would be enrolled in the upcoming colleges of technology that are yet to start this year," Sibomana said.

He said that it was a problem since the government still considers technical students as people with skills and ready for the job market instead of giving them a chance to add on the little they have.

Sibomana further noted that through the Technical Schools Association that was formed earlier this year, he hoped the problem would be addressed.

Ends