NYARUGURU - Concern Worldwide-Rwanda, has concluded its three-year education programme and handed over all its activities to Nyaruguru District authorities.

Started in 2008, the programme sought to increase parents’ role in the education of their children. It also aimed, among others, to involve parents in the process of children enrolment and retention in schools, reduce the rate of drop-outs, involve parents in schools management and bring them to initiate income generating activities.

The Concern Worldwide Education programme targeted primary schools in Nyaruguru, Huye and Gakenke districts, where the programme is now wrapping up.

The main focus of the programme has been on the Parents-Teachers Committees through training and capacity building and improving equipment in schools.

"The district is now taking over all the activities we have been carrying out and it is up to it to ensure that the Parents-Teachers Committees work effectively to improve children’s education in their respective areas,” said David Rugaaju, the Education Programme Manager at Concern Worldwide- Rwanda chapter.

He however noted the move was not a pointer that his organisation had terminated its contribution to the development of education in the country.

"We are discussing with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to see how we can contribute to improve the quality of education”, Rugaaju added.

Speaking during the event on Wednesday, Nyaruguru district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Angélique Nireberaho commended the organisation "for attaining its objectives”.

"We worked along with Concern Worldwide for a long time and I am proud to say they managed to fulfil their obligations. It is now our turn to take up the responsibility and I am hopeful we will do it as they did,” Nireberaho said.

The district education officer, Charles Gakwaya, promised to follow up on the programme to ensure that it is well conducted.

"Nothing will reverse what we have achieved in this education domain. We will strive to ensure that parents committees contribute to the development of education in this district,” he committed.

One of the parents, Eliezel Gasana, said: "We have acquired a lot through this programme and we are already putting the acquired knowledge into practice. The collaboration between us parents and school authorities is excellent; schools are developing and we want to go that way because everyone of us is committed to it.”

At the handover ceremony, Parents-Teachers Committees received various prizes including assorted scholastic materials.

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