Private universities are requesting the Ministry of Education to lower their taxes.

The call was made by proprietors of private universities, over the weekend, while meeting with the new Minister of education, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi.

The private proprietors requested that the law (number 20/2005) that governs the operations of the universities is revised.

The articles they want revised concern taxes and research. The law is still in the lower chamber of parliament.

"We want the taxes to be reduced to allow us to do the work of educating Rwandans without any hindrances,” said Gerard Urayineza, the vice chairperson of the private universities’ association.

He also said that the law does not favour them in research matters, which is the backbone of any higher learning institution.

Urayineza requested the minister to meet them regularly to chart the way forward in the developing educational sector in the country.

Habumuremyi pledged to be their voice on the matter. He told the proprietors they play a big role of helping government to educate Rwandans.

The minister also asked the proprietors to strive for qualitative education.

He reminded them that since Rwanda has joined the East African Community, they have to train people to be competitive on the regional job market.

He further requested the universities to play a role in transforming communities by helping them solve problems affecting them.

Ends