KIGALI - The Minister of Education, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, yesterday made an impromptu visit to secondary schools in the city.

The schools visited include, Lycee de Kigali, Green Hills Academy and Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux Girls’ School.

Habumuremyi said that he visited the schools to inspect the turn-up of students as the new term began and also examine the learning environment.

"If we must have quality education, students must abide by the national education program that involves respecting the date schools re-open,” Habumuremyi said.

He called upon parents and school administrations to play a collaborative role to ensure that students get to school on time.

"As a ministry, this visit is also an opportunity for us to get information about the challenges both students and school administrators face,” he said.

Although hundreds of students were stranded in various bus terminuses across the country due to shortage of public transport, the turn-up was impressive in the schools the minister visited.

The headmistress of Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux, Helene Nayituliki, attributed the good turn-up to good relations between the school and parents, saying that they jointly monitor the progress of the students.

"Out of the 745 students, only 28 have not reported. But we are clearly aware as to why, since we are in touch with their parents,” Nayituliki said.

The Headmaster of Lycee de Kigali, Martin M. Masabo, said the students are now aware of the negative effects of reporting to school late.

"Things have completely changed and we no longer have cases of students reporting late without genuine reasons,” he said

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