when it comes to education, a number of factors can raise or hinder excellence. Of course, every child’s dream is to have the necessary learning equipment, competent teachers and all the support required to enable them achieve their dreams, regardless of whether they are in a public or private school. Teachers say that there is need to bridge the gap between private and public schools, for a stronger system to thrive, and this is how: According to Enos Tumwikirize, a Kigali Parents School teacher, the learning gap between private and public schools is caused by how much effort is invested by either side in syllabus coverage. Both schools follow more or less the same syllabus, but the difference comes in implementation and the zeal to give students what they are supposed to cover within that academic year. He adds, private schools tend to be more aggressive compared to public schools in syllabus coverage. This is because they yearn to attract more students at the end of the academic year after attaining excellent performance. Regardless of this, public schools should also strive to cover the syllabus so that at the end of the academic year, they don’t perform dismally, compared to private schools. This will certainly level the ground for both schools. For John Mary Musinguzi, the principal at Little Bears Montessori School, teachers in both settings have to agree to help one another, in that, they relate mutually. If one thinks of being superior, we will not ‘grow’ together. “These teachers should encourage working together in both settings. This can involve discussions and demonstrations in different fields of learning. The minor will develop with the help of the greater,” he says. Musinguzi also points out that healthy competition should be developed. This includes debates, spelling competitions, and games, between the two. He also identifies that most times, private schools cater more for their teachers than public schools. This is the fuel that drives the teachers in private schools to perform better than most public schools. If public schools can also improve their services in this regard, they would be on equal footing with private schools. Furthermore, the relationship between the administrators should be improved so that they visit each other and supervise their subordinates together. Each of them has something to learn, he carries on. Isa Kiyingi, a language teacher at CCI-Essi-Nyamirambo, says the government needs a more versatile curriculum to be followed by all, be it public or private schools. This may blend the two sides as the Cambridge or Competence-Based Curriculum-CBC is evaluated more and given a conclusive picture, or looking at the more essential features from both curriculums and decide to integrate them. Conversely, private schools use a lot of professional and well-experienced teachers. This is due to the fact that the salary scale may be higher, Kiyingi clarifies. He adds, those teachers may have some outstandingly productive techniques that may be influential to the whole teachers’ forum. So, making teachers in private and public schools meet for discussions, or even training, to enhance their way of lesson preparation and delivery may perhaps bridge the gap. Divine Lione Dushimimana, a student of Green Hills Academy, explains that linking the learning gap between private and public schools is not an easy task, however, it is a journey that is to be taken. One of the main problems with public schools is a huge number of students, and this leads to a big number per class that impedes learning. He suggests the construction of at least two public schools per sector instead of one, as this could reduce high congestion of students in one class. Another problem is that many public schools lack fully qualified teachers. This can be solved through a training programme in each and every district, where qualified teachers help train others, he suggests. Dushimimana notes that the other problem with public education is addressing primary education because some parents with kids in public primary schools are not fully educated themselves, meaning, they don’t really pick the necessity of education, and this affects learners. This, however, he says, can be solved by having meetings that sensitise families about their children’s education per village, maybe twice a month. Casimir Manirareba, a teacher at Lye Notre-Dame de Citeaux, says obviously today there is a gap between private and public schools, especially for primary. For the gap to be bridged, learning conditions should be the same, otherwise, there will always be differences, some will advance and others, will be left behind. He says, in most private schools, teachers are paid better and they have more teaching and learning materials, and good infrastructure, which motivates teachers and students. Furthermore, there should be collaboration between schools to learn from one another through class trips, and learners should be rewarded regularly to motivate them. Parents in public schools should be involved in the education of their children as it is in private schools, supporting both children and their educators at school or in the management and development of the school — but most importantly, the government should involve both teachers and parents in education policy-making, Manirareba adds.
