Gov’t, BTC provide Rwf550 million for science subjects

The government, through the Ministry of Education and the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), have earmarked Rwf 550m to distribute science kits in schools. A science kit is a movable set of science laboratory equipment. It can also be used in schools where there is no proper science laboratory as an alternative. According to the State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Mathias Harebamungu, the move is aimed at availing more opportunities to students to be able to do more science practicals than has been the case in the past. “Promotion of science subjects is a government priority and we are doing all we can to see that science and technology is strengthened through giving the students a chance to do more practicals in sciences rather than just depending on theory,” Harebamungu said recently. Examining of practical sciences began last year. Previously science has only been taught theoretically and this has led to the production of poor quality scientists. Speaking to The New Times, the director of the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) Charles Gahima said that over 1,500 Science kits were ordered of which the first consignment of 1,050 kits has already been distributed. “We have already distributed the first consignment to the respective schools as we wait for the last consignment which should be in the country before end of this month,” said Gahima. He added that 1,500 teachers have so far been trained on how to use the kits. As a way of balancing promotion of science in the education sector, private schools were also considered under this programme. “These science kits will also be provided to private schools because most of the schools cannot afford them due to their high cost, and yet no one should be left behind on this,” he said. Ends