Probe into use of school funds due

Two local civic groups will soon carry out a survey to determine the impact of the funds that government gives to Nine-Year Basic Education schools and other primary schools (capitation grant) each year, it was announced on Tuesday.The study will be conducted by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rw) and Research for Development Institute.The move seeks to ascertain how transparent the process is and if the funds are used accordingly, said the Executive Secretary of TI-Rw, Apollinaire Mupiganyi.Capitation grant is facilitation that is given to public schools by the state to facilitate their daily operations.The civic groups will use the Citizen Report Card to collect citizens’ views about the effectiveness of capitation grant“We want to find out citizens’ perception on the process and whether they are satisfied. We will also involve students, teachers and parents, especially those whose children are among beneficiaries,” explained Mupiganyi. The survey that is targeting 1,774 respondents will be conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively. Every year, government pays Rwf3500 per pupil/student in 9YBE and other primary schools that receive the funds, officials said.Meanwhile, Mupiganyi said TI-Rwanda will, later this month, release findings of a related survey, which sought to ascertain whether capitation grant reaches the intended schools.A senior advisor in the Ministry of Education, Callixte Kayisire, is optimistic the findings of the survey will play a significant role in the success of the programme. He said the government spent at least Rwf9 billion in capitation grants this fiscal year alone.“Education is a top national priority and, therefore, anything that seeks to improve it is welcome,” he said.

National

Probe into use of school funds due