The remarkable performance of girls speaks volumes

The performance of girls has registered a steady rise over the last two years thanks to efforts from the Government and Non- Governmental Organizations as well as the women empowerment endeavors. More Rwandan girls went to school in 2010 last year as the number of schools that registered for national examinations surged. One may be tempted to associate the increase in the number of schools from 560 in 2009 to 630 in 2010 to the expanded opportunities for both boys and girls to enroll into schools; however, the expansion appears to have had a more positive impact on the school enrollment of girls than boys. From the 2009/2010 statistics, the more girls enrolled the better the performance. Whereas the performance of boys in the last two years has dropped, the girls have continued defying many odds and soldiered on and on. In 2010, the number of boys who got Division 1 dropped from 68.2 per cent to 67.32 per cent. On the other hand, the percentage of girls with Division 1 increased from 31.8 per cent in 2009 to 32.68 per cent in 2010. The steady gains in girls’ performance indicate that the ground for competition for both genders is continually being leveled in Rwanda. The obstacles that stand in the way of school going girls are thawing. The major causes of poor performances that are found outside the academic realm may be on the decrease. Commonly cited deterrents like multiple household duties for school going girls, lack of follow up by parents, early marriages and pregnancies, sexual harassment and discrimination and lack of role models are gradually getting phased out. The impressive ratio of boys to girls in the top 10 national ranking is reminiscent of the 50:50 gender balance agitation in gender chauvinism. The girls bagged five slots as the boys held a tight grip on the remaining five. In general, girls can excel highly if they are given necessary support. In my opinion, the present and future success of Rwandan girls is pegged on correspondent uprooting of all inhibitors and subsequent shattering of the shackles of suppression, oppression and discrimination in a patriarchal world. Tough legislations against female oppression in the Rwandan society have also boosted respect and recognition of women rights. Women have been elevated to equal citizenship and not lesser equals. Young girls in schools can now dream about being members of parliament, ministers, engineers so forth. They are empowered to invade the male dominated territories and compete favourably. However, boys should also rise up to the challenge and retain a commendable position. With that in mind, there should be investigation into why the increase in boys’ enrollment each year has not corresponded to or surpassed the percentage pass. The year 2010 has registered a frustrating decline in the performance of boys. Both the percentage pass of boys and that of those who got Division 1 declined. Something could be seriously wrong. All in all, girls should be celebrated for their bravery, courage and determination. The author is the Director of Studies at Nu Vision High School, Kabuga. Znyamosi@yahoo.com