Slow day on start of school term

NORTHERN PROVINCE GICUMBI/RULIDO- Although the new term is expected to have started yesterday teachers in some schools in Gicumbi and Rulindo districts were still marking last term’s exams. The headmaster of Rutongo Secondary School in Rulindo District Jean Pierre Rutikanga upon being asked by this reporter on what happens on the first day he replied that the first day of school is meant for marking last term’s exams. “The first day of the third term is meant for marking second term examination papers, while the students are carrying out class room and dormitory cleaning exercise,” the Rutikanga said. The headmaster of GS APAPEB mixed Secondary School Jean d’ Amour Uwiligiyimana, also confirmed that teachers were still marking second term examinations on the first day. “There are so far 450 out of 900 students who have reported on the first day. That is why teachers have embarked on marking of second term examinations, while waiting for other students to report,” he said. The New Times established that most schools in the two districts registered low turn up of students on the first day. Majority of the head teachers attributed the low turn up to hiked transport and school fees clearance problems. At Byumba Boys High School (Groupe scolaire de La Salle),only about 200 out of 748 students had reported at the school, and there were no classes being held. Most students could be seen loitering around the school compound, while others were sweeping their classrooms. At Byumba Girls’ High School (Groupe Scolaire Notre Dame du Bon Conseil), out of 739 students, 500 had already reported and were attending classes. Ends