Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi is, today, scheduled to appear before Parliament to brief a joint parliamentary session on the progress of the implementation of the 12 Year Basic Education (12YBE).

The Premier’s appearance is part of the routine session agenda in presenting the progress and implementation of government programmes and engaging with the legislators on several interventions.

In an interview with The New Times, the Director of Cabinet Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office Eugene Barikana, said that the Premier will discuss, at length, the progress of the 12 YBE.

"He will talk about the 12 Year Basic Education programme, where it is today and where it is going,” Barikana said

The 12YBE programme is expected to kick off early next year, following the successful implementation of the Nine Year Basic Education (9YBE).

Preparations to construct classrooms and other infrastructure were launched a few months ago, countrywide.

Speaking to The New Times, the Director of Communication and Outreach Augustin Habimana said that the PM’s appearance will bring together both Senators and MPs as mandated by the constitution.

"Every session, MPs summon the PM to talk about government business and this morning, he will be doing that,” Habimana said.

The government has allocated Rwf14bn towards the construction of 2,679 classrooms and 5,424 toilets in all districts nationally.

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.

The 9YBE which was initiated in 2009 saw the construction of 5,600 classrooms via joint efforts by the government and the citizens.

This is Habumuremyi’s second appearance before parliament since his appointment as Prime Minister.

edmund.kagire@newtimes.co.rw