New programme to provide vulnerable children with scholastic materials

There are various reasons children drop out of school. Many people had a negative mindset on the importance of education, thus disregarding it. However, due to mobilisation and increasing literacy, this has changed over time and financial capacity remains the main challenge. Some families with limited capacity find it hard to buy children’s scholastic materials often resulting in dropouts. Figures from the Ministry of Education indicate that the national dropout rate in primary schools was 5.7 per cent, 6.5 per cent in lower secondary and 2.5 per cent in upper secondary education in the Academic Year 2015/2016. It is partly because of this that Twiyubake programme, a five-year project that is implemented by USAID and other partners, was borne, aiming to assist households to reduce economic vulnerability by empowering parents, health promotion, among others. The programme also has a plan to support children in education which is expected to benefit 51, 346 children from vulnerable households in 12 districts across the country. As part of the programme, 1446 children from 764 families in Mageragere sector in Nyarugenge District were, on Friday, given school materials that include notebooks, pens, pencils, school bags, uniforms, among other school kits. Samuel Sindayiheba, coordinator of Twiyubake programme, said the programme is in line with government’s bid to curb school dropouts in the country. “We have been hearing reports of children dropping out of school in the country. One of the reasons behind the trend was that some parents can’t afford materials for their children, forcing them to drop out. So we worked with local authorities to identify the needy to be supported in this aspect,” he said. “However, we not only provide materials but also take time to sensitise parents on the importance of education because while some parents have financial constraints, others don’t really lack means but have misperception towards education.” The Executive secretary of Mageragere Sector, Christophe Ntirushwa, commended the support. “Some children used to abandon school to work in sugar cane plantations. We have partnered with different stakeholders and halted that. Others raised financial issues. Now that parents have got this support, there is no excuse for having one’s child out of school. “But they also help in changing mindsets in the community and this will help beneficiaries sustain themselves when the project ceases,” he said. What beneficiaries say Beata Nyirasafari said, “I have no spouse and I am supposed to feed my children, educate them, pay health insurance, you name it. It is not easy to bear it alone. This programme is paramount as it helped me solve a lot of issues since I joined it. These materials will help my children study comfortably.” Josephine Uwase added, “Some children were reluctant to go to school and would easily point to lack of materials as a pretext. But now, they will be keen to attend.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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New programme to provide vulnerable children with scholastic materials