On May 2 and 3, Northern, Western, and Southern provinces of the country faced catastrophic weather conditions that caused flooding and landslides, resulting in the death of 130 people. According to officials, 15 students have been reported dead, and a total of 33 schools have been destroyed.

Of these, 13 schools are in Karongi District, seven in Nyabihu, six in Rubavu, four in Ngororero, two from Gakenke, and one from Gicumbi.

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In Ngororero District, five children studying at CS Nyagisozi School, born to 41-year-old Alphonsine Nyirandangijimana, were killed.

At GS Gisakavu, mud entered through the windows and spread to five classrooms. The school’s administration is working with members of the community to have it removed.

In the same area, primary four student James Kwizera from GS Rwiri, primary four student, Havugimana, and primary three student, Beatrice Irankunda from CS Magaba, were killed when mudslides engulfed their homes.

In Rubavu District, floods from the Sebeya River swept through GSNDA Nyundo, Ecole D’Arts De Nyundo, GS Sanzare, Petit Séminaire St Pie X de Nyundo, GS Rubavu II, and CS Kayanza school buildings, destroying laboratories, equipment, larder, classrooms, and libraries, forcing the schools to suspend some classes and operations as relocation and repair are underway.

In Gicumbi District, a boys’ dormitory at Mulindi TSS was ravaged by the floods, however, there are no reports of casualties.

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At GS Nyange in Gakenke District, floods destroyed various resources including 367 bags of cement, 53 laptops, two chalk boxes, and food including 100 kilogrammes of beans and 200 kilogrammes of dry-maize, and 400 acres of a vegetable garden.

Sadly, the flood in the area also claimed the life of primary four student, Kevin Ihabwicyubahiro, from EP Kanshenge.

In Nyabihu District, a flood destroyed the kitchen of EP Kanyoye I, GS Mulinga’s bathrooms, and Rega Catholique’s classrooms. It also claimed the lives of primary two student, Devothe Uwajeneza, from EP Kinihira, Innocent Uwiringiyimana from GS Kintobo, and nine-year-old Edson Niyimpagaritse from GS Gatovu.

The Nyamutera Bridge near EP Marangara has been destroyed, hindering the movement of residents, including students and teachers.

In Karongi District, three primary students died; Thomas Izabayo from EP Gatwaro, Deborah Uwikuze, and primary four student Dorcas Tuyishime from GS Nyegabo.

Floods also destroyed the larder, classrooms, teachers’ residences, kitchens, and laboratories of IPRC Karongi, GS Ruragwe, GS Nemba, Rubengera II/TSS, GS Kibuye, EP La Lumiere de Kibuye, GS Gisovu, GS Mubuga, ES Kirinda, GS Gataka, and EP Rwaramba.

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Speaking to The New Times, Minister of Education, Dr Valentine Uwamariya, guaranteed full support to the students and schools that have sadly lost their loved ones and resources.

"To the bereaved families, we as an educational family are together in mourning your loved ones. To the schools’ leaders that were affected, the Ministry of Education will work with its partners to rebuild and equip the destroyed infrastructure and provide support to the students who lost their learning material during this tragedy,” she said.