Parents urged to enrol students in local schools after DRC snub

Officials from Rusizi District are set to meet people who were affected by a recent decision by the Democratic Republic of Congo to impose visa fees on all Rwandans crossing into the country. Officials say affected parents should now enrol their children in local schools, wondering why they had taken them to Congolese schools in the first place. Rusizi mayor Oscar Nzeyimana said it is estimated that over 3,000 Rwandans were affected with majority being primary and secondary school pupils who used to cross the border to attend classes on the other side of the border. The decision by the DRC government came into force last month and it required travellers to possess a visa which costs $55 (Rwf37,400) for ordinary people and $35(23,800) for students. The visa is renewed annually. Nzeyimana said though a few people who are financially stable have since paid and continued with their businesses, the majority could not afford and halted their movements. “We intend to meet and discuss the way forward. For the affected students, we will encourage them to enroll in local schools,” the mayor said. “I actually wonder why a primary student would study from Congo when we have schools here,” he added. Over 10,000 people th the Western Province cross to Congo everyday for various reasons, including those involved in cross border trade, students as well as visitors according to the official. DRC officials have since declined to comment, saying it was a high level decision that can only be commented about by authorities in Kinshasa. Nyamasheke District mayor Jean Baptiste Habyalimana said Congolese continue to enter Rwanda without any charges. Both countries are members of the Economic Community for the Great Lakes Region (CEPGL) created to promote trade, cooperation and free movement of people among the partner states.

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Parents urged to enrol students in local schools after DRC snub