Who should shoulder the burden of varsity tuition?

Editor,Reference is made to Sunny Ntayombya’s article, “University tuition burden should not be the parent’s” (The New Times, November 13). I think Sunny should have addressed the opinion firstly to the Ministry of Education and then to the financial institutions (banks) to put in place those loan schemes for the students because, as he said, he was also sponsored for his university education.Secondly, let’s be honest: Times have changed and people’s mindsets have also evolved. That’s a fact. In the yesteryears, if one was receiving Rwf25, 000 in monthly stipend from government, that cannot necessarily help make an informed opinion about the challenges today’s students face.As a matter of fact, there are students who are now earning that money every month for their manual labour.It’s not fair to assume that a fresh high school graduate can get a job to pay for their university tuition. Probably only one out of ten is lucky to get some well paying job out here, so we shouldn’t blame the youth for growing up in difficult times.Kalisa, Kigali***************************Editor,It is not really difficult times, people need to start taking their education in their own hands and not leave it up to the government or their parents. If their parents can afford it, then that’s great.However, I know a lot of people who go to school part-time so they can work at restaurants or hotels during the day and go to school at night. I know drivers who go to school in the evenings and I have immense respect for them.So no one should just say it’s tough times; it will always be tough and education isn’t getting cheaper anyway – people have to work hard for what they want.Melissa, Kigali

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Who should shoulder the burden of varsity tuition?