KICUKIRO - The Ministry of Education will today officially initiate the 12 Year Basic Education (12YBE) at a function to be held at Groupe Scolaire Camp Kanombe in Kicukiro District.

The event will be observed through participation in communal work "Umuganda” to kick-start the construction of classrooms at the school.

12YBE program is being launched after the successful implementation of the Nine Year Basic Education (9YBE). 

Other districts throughout the country will carry out similarly exercises at selected schools.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, the Minister of Education, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi explained that the program is part of the goals to be achieved in the next seven years.

"Providing 12 year basic education is part of the ministry’s seven year plan which was adopted after the re-election of His Excellency the President (Paul Kagame),” he said.

"Effective next year, every Rwandan child will have the right to study the first 12 grades, which is primary and secondary education, free of charge.”

The minister noted that a budget of Rwf14bn had been allocated towards the construction 2,679 classrooms and 5,424 toilets in all districts countrywide.

He said that over Rwf5 billion had already been transferred to the districts to commence the works. The districts are expected to purchase construction materials locally.

Reviewing the current progress of the 9YBE which was initiated in 2009, the minister disclosed that 5,600 classrooms had been constructed in the first and second phases of the program.

It also notably led to an increase in the number of students completing primary school and O-level education.

Habumuremyi urged local citizens to supplement the government’s efforts by participating in the construction. of classrooms.

"The citizens have a role to play in the construction of these rooms; through participating in communal service "Umuganda” to clear land for construction, lay and burn the bricks and for those who can and give financial contributions to top up on our budget.”

He also disclosed that the government considered putting strategies to promote vocational and technical education, as well as, expanding the One Laptop per Child initiative.

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