60 classrooms constructed for Burundi refugee children

{Children of Burundi refugees accommodated in Mahama camp have benefited from a new school comprised of 60 classrooms near their residences. }

The school was built by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs in partnership with Kirehe district.

The vice mayor for social welfare in Kirehe district,Geraldine Mukandarikanguye urged parents to take advantage of the facilities sending all children to school.

“We want you to be educated as you return home. That is why you have to motivate all mature children to go school,” she said.

The manager of Mahama camp who conveyed the message from MIDIMAR, Ngoga Aristarque said that parents will be held accountable and punished for not taking children to school.

“The Minister of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs has informed that Rwanda has a law punishing people who fail to take a child to school. So you have to respect it to avoid tough penalties planned for those disobeying the policy” he said.

According to statistics from UNHCR, Mahama camp has received 53,000 refugees including over 7,000 children.

Only children from 1st and 2nd year primary school will study at the new school while others attend education at school outside the camp.

The school was inaugurated yesterday as United Nations Children Education Fund launched a campaign dubbed “Garura abana ku Ishuri” (take children back to school).