Airtel offers 180 students scholarships worth Rwf18m

Primary school students are set to benefit from an Airtel scholarship programme under its ongoing Birahebuje promotion.The scholarships valued at Rwf18m will see over 180 beneficiaries in total by the end of February.Marcellin Paluku, the Airtel country manager, said they came to the decision after realising that each primary school-going pupil needed Rwf 100,000 in school fees per year.“Education is an important tool for the social economic development of Rwanda and a vital role in poverty alleviation. By awarding scholarships to our customers, we are fueling their learning as we believe that we are making a difference,” he said.A total of 86 students have benefitted from this so far. “ I am usually late on school fees payment but I am happy that this scholarship will help me finish this year,” said Fraterne Kirirunda from Gatsata, one of the beneficiaries.Airtel also has the Adopt a school programme where Airtel identifies a school and undertakes major refurbishments as well as provide scholastic materials to create model schools in Rwanda.This programme is done every year in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Airtel Rwanda last year adopted Nyirukobwa School in Bugesera as the flagship school in its Adopt-A-School programme.