Schools face closure over poor hygiene

KIGALI - Kigali City Council has blacklisted 13 secondary schools and recommended their closure following a report on poor sanitation and hygiene, Sunday Times has learnt. The 13 schools which were grouped within ‘the red category’ are said to be in an appalling hygienic state. Close to 52 city schools have so far been inspected. According to the Director of Media and Communication at KCC, Bruno Rangira, the exercise started late last month. The report comes after KCC Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Jeanne d’ Arc Gakuba, issued a stern warning to schools that have failed to put in place basic sanitation facilities. The blacklisted schools include; Groupe Scolaire APERWA, SFJ Gacuriro, ETM Gitega, ETL Masaka and ESSA Nyarugunga. Others are ETMR Nyarugenge, Collège Ingenzi, College de Misercorde, College de Mwendo, APACE Kabusunzu, SICO, Groupe Scolaire Kimisange and ESA Gikondo. The report by the inspection team said these schools were found with no toilets and poor sewerage system thus putting the students’ health at a high risk A good number of those on the black list are boarding schools whose dormitories are in poor state and are ridden with bedbugs. Meanwhile, all the 13 schools were fined Rwf250,000 each and given two weeks to rectify the mess or face closure. “They were also given up to next year to have built enough school blocks to accommodate the existing number of students,” Rangira said. He said that the decision not to close them instantly was influenced by the fact that the academic year is coming towards the end and closing the schools would negatively affect the students, especially those sitting for national exams. “We made it a bit flexible for them to continue their school routines, but they will not be allowed to reopen next year until they have fulfilled all the requirements.” Meanwhile 23 other schools were put in the ‘yellow category’ and fined Rwf 50,000 each and given one week to have solved all the identified problems. They include; Lycee de Kigali, FAWE Girls School, Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux, Kabuga High School, College De L’ Espoir and APRED Ndera among others. Ends