Ntare Louisenlund School (NLS), the new Rwandan international educational institution inspired by Uganda's Ntare School, on Friday, August 16, announced a scholarship program for 240 highly talented Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students. This comes shortly after the Minister of State for Education, Claudette Irere, on August 6, visited the school based in Nyamata, Bugesera District, ahead of the start of its first academic year on September 23, and interacted with 15 Grade 7 (senior one) teachers who were undergoing a week-long induction and training ahead of the academic year. Unlike Uganda's Ntare School which is a boys' only school, Rwanda’s Ntare Louisenlund School welcomes boys and girls. “Does your child dream of being a top engineer, a leader in the medical industry, or a renowned scientist? Ntare Louisenlund School is a center for STEM excellence in the East African region. Our Plus-STEM Programme uses inquiry-based and project-based learning to develop a new generation of researchers and problem-solvers prepared to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century,” reads part of a related joint Ntare Louisenlund School-Ministry of Education communiqué. “This September will be special for 240 highly talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students who achieved extraordinary results in their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in Mathematics and Science. They will be invited to participate in a scholarship program that will allow them to attend Ntare Louisenlund School for the upcoming school year.” About the scholarship As noted, the Ministry of Education will offer to pay for 80 scholarships to support local Rwandan students attending Ntare Louisenlund School starting September in grade 7. If a student is granted a scholarship, it will follow them for their entire academic career until graduation as long as grades are maintained at a satisfactory level. How to qualify The 240 students will be pre-selected by the ministry based on their Primary Six (P6) national examination results in Mathematics and Science. These pre-selected candidates will be invited to participate in two-day-long selection days, scheduled from September 7 to September 18. During the selection days, students will participate in activities that will determine their eligibility for the scholarship and will be invited to join the school on September 23. “All eligible candidates will be informed of the invitation to participate in the STEM selection process after the announcement of the National Exam Results. To secure your placement, we encourage you to register now for the scholarship. If your national test results come back in the top 240 of the country, you will secure your position to try out for the scholarship early.” “Please register using the link below so we can quickly notify you of your qualifications for attending the selection day.” Eligible candidates can pre-register at https://ntarelouisenlundschool.openapply.com/ Go to Application Options and use the drop-down menu to click on the Plus-STEM Scholarship Application. Complete the application in its entirety, it is noted, “and we look forward to welcoming you, pending your National Exam Results.” Eligibility criteria for the scholarship To apply for the scholarship, you must: - Have Rwandan citizenship - Participated in the Rwandan Primary Leave Examinations (PLE) - High academic achievement in Science, Mathematics, and English - Willingness to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Important notice “Please be aware that chosen participants in the selection days at Ntare Louisenlund School in Nyamata will be notified at the beginning of September 2024. Ensure that you are prepared for potential travel arrangements on short notice,” adds the joint communique. The school which counts Presidents Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni among its alumni, on June 8 opened its doors to parents and guardians considering enrolling their children, allowing them to explore the campus before the official opening in September. Earlier in April, it started the process of receiving students – boys and girls – and staff applications as it prepared for opening in September. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: President Kagame hosts cocktail in honor of Ntare School OBs The school is the brainchild of former students of Ntare School in Uganda, united under the banner of the Ntare School Old Boys Association (NSOBA). ALSO READ: Ntare school of excellence: cultivating young lions of distinction Ntare Louisenlund School, both a Rwandan and international school, will deliver an international curriculum with a strong focus on STEM as it aims at fostering academic excellence, nurturing students' character, and promoting a sense of community, so that students will be equipped to tackle the challenges of the twenty-first century. The school’s aims are promoting academic excellence, enhancing students’ character, and instilling in them a sense of community to prepare them to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. ALSO READ: Ntare School fundraiser attended by Kagame, Museveni raises Rwf 875m Spread across 60 hectares, the campus is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 boarding students. The new facility boasts facilities including laboratories, modern classrooms, learning studios, IT rooms, a creative design workshop, as well as newly constructed sports amenities such as soccer and handball pitches, a swimming pool, and an Olympic-sized track.
