Girls’ education registering progress - Minister Harebamungu

The Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education has said that the decision to prioritise girls’ education is producing positive results. Dr Mathias Harebamungu said this, yesterday, while presiding over a ceremony to reward of the best female students in last year’s national examinations from the districts of Kirehe and Ngoma in the Eastern Province. The Minister noted that the prioritisation of girls’ education was agreed upon after realising that they were lagging behind in schools. “We no longer need to push girls into science; they find themselves there and are doing superbly. I am happy that science phobia in girls is history,” he said. The Minister attributed the achievements to initiatives such as the rewarding of best performers that is organised by Imbuto Foundation. Harebamungu was representing the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, the patron of Imbuto Foundation.More than 20 students from Primary, O’ level and A’ level received gift packs that contained an assorted of scholastic materials. Clemence Nzeyimana, Vestine Abimana and Prisca Uwimana, all A’ level students of Zaza College walked away with brand new laptops. Addressing hundreds of students and parents, who braved morning heavy down pour to attend the colourful ceremony, Minister Harebamungu thanked the girls for the excellent performance. Ines Mpambara, the Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President, told the students that they should aim high.She said that the rewards were not ceremonial, but should leave them with even greater ambitions. “Excellence inspires excellence...you have just started and the sky should be the limit,” she said, adding that the Parents should make sure the students stay on track.Gorethe Umugwaneza, the Headmistress of Zaza College told The New Times, that the rewards were a great positive reinforcement. She said that her school performs best because of the discipline instilled in the students. “Teaching and learning must be coupled with discipline. Our girls are disciplined, which is why, you have seen them emerge the best in the two districts. We thank Imbuto Foundation for the recognition which will motivate their younger sisters to aim higher,” she said. This is the 7th year Imbuto Foundation is rewarding girls.At the ceremony, 6 Guardian Angels were rewarded for bringing up children, not their own. Ends

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Girls’ education registering progress - Minister Harebamungu