During the retreat, leaders discussed ways to streamline efficiency to fast track performance contracts and envisaged progress.
Jeanne Mutoni, Rwamagana vice mayor in charge of social affairs told participants that the district recently registered more than 700 children who dropped out of school of whom the majority is from primary school.
Of these, 171 are secondary school dropouts while 544 are from primary school.
Karenge was pointed out as the sector with a large number of drop outs.
Mutoni has said that the district collaborated with head teachers to identify the exact number and locate dropouts to be returned to school. She revealed that the district has initially pledged to bring back to school 319 children who dropped out of school due to indecorous behavior.
Among others, Mutoni explained that some children drop out of school due to school feeding cost.
“Rwamagana district stands at 99% in implementing the school feeding program but some parents are not actively involved in supporting the Government’s efforts. They do not provide Rwf4000 contribution per school term as required but it should not be among reasons causing children to miss classes,” he observed.
Other reasons pointed out include sickness, domestic conflicts and children abandoning schools to seek jobs among others.
Mutoni urged parents and educators to follow up children to prevent dropouts.
She reminded parents with no cash in hand that they can provide part of their agricultural yields to support school feeding program.
Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, the State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged participants to collaborate with parents, neighbours and relevant authorities to return them to school as soon as they can to prevent related negative impact to the society.
The retreat was concluded with recommendations to roll out a campaign at sector level to return children to school.
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