On March 14, the Government announced that all schools and higher education institutions, public and private will be closed with immediate effect. The move was to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The announcement left many parents wondering how best to keep their students busy. Egide Abimana, an education expert, has came up with a google class for students to occupy themselves with. To help students keep track of their studies, we are providing online coaching classes. Students do quizzes, assignments, and are graded online. We also make sure they interact with teachers., he told The New Times, adding that, this can also be done via REBs e-learning platform. Etienne Combier, an author and founder of Novastan media house, proposes that media houses should produce radio and TV education content for students the same way it is done for the Church services to facilitate e-learning. Charles Muligande, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda (UR) in charge of institutional advancement told the public broadcaster hat they are going to deliver online courses until classes resume. Martine Uwacu, a teacher at Green Hills Academy, cautions against relaxing saying this is not really a break, because if students go back to school, they will begin exams. “The students will start the exams straight away. This should make them be pressed harder to study and maximize the time they have, Uwacu said. Beyond classroom Elizabeth Mujawamariya Johnson (the founder of Grace Rwanda, a Non-Governmental Organisation that provides reading materials to young Rwandan students), recommends that students should use the time to read. “Students who claim to lack enough time to read won’t have excuses now. They should use this time to read as it helps them grow mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Every book gives a child an opportunity to learn new things and explore new ideas. Reading books increases their knowledge and makes them smarter.”,Mujawamariya said in a telephone interview. Leon Mugabe, the Coordinator of Rwanda Education for all Coalition (REFAC), a local NGO that advocates for students rights, says that students should also dedicate time for extracurricular activities. “Students should also dedicate time to sports as well, he said.
