Tag: HomeNews

{{Failure and or prolonged delay in issuing upkeep funds is forcing several government sponsored students quiting school after failing to cope with resultant challenges including failure to secure food, shelter and other requirements.}}

IGIHE.com carried out a random and quick survey at various schools tracing complaints from students about what they describe as horrible conditions that force some of them dropping out school.

Students also told IGIHE.com that among their challenges include delayed upkeep funds.

At the school of Finance and banking few of the students were willing to talk about their living conditions, some asked to remain anonymous citing stringent repercussions.

A beneficiary of Student Financing Agency for Rwanda (SFAR) at the school of Finance and banking Karangwa (not his real name) in his third year said that he was financially supported for only two years. He noted that while in his second year things had already started to deteriorate.

SFAR had allegedly encountered problems and students were made to wait for the money. This made living conditions complicated for there was no money to help them survive.

“Now am in my third year and it is worse than ever, the delays are longer and some of my friends have been told that they haven’t been listed yet we were all listed last year”.

“what has happened to our money, and what will happen to us if they refuse to acknowledge our names, this is not right and something should be done about it”

Peter Gishumba a student at Kigali Institute of Education told IGIHE.com that government gives students’ money to Ecobank. However, once the money is in the hands of the bank, students don’t see the money for weeks.

He adds, “The claims made by the bank and SFAR are that they are encountering delays in receiving the money yet the money is supposed to be in the bank, so where is it and doesn’t the government think there is something wrong with this system?”

IGIHE.com also travelled to Gitarama and noticed students roaming the streets as if they have nothing to do. At lunch hours restaurants are shunned and only a about three or five students can be seen sharing a meal.

Felix Rwigema, a 2nd year student noted that living conditions have worsened since last year, “last year we were told to wait for SFAR that had been dealing with some problems, we are still waiting and while we do that we starve in the process.”

Another student shared his frustration saying, “many times we are sharing rooms with our classmates whom have homes here, because we don’t have money to rent on our own”,

Sylvia Umutesi a journalism student said “having to choose between lunch and dinner is how we survive. Is this why we must suffer in the name of receiving education from a government that has offered to help us, where is the help we need now?”

Incquired about students that have quit school because of these problems, she narrated of a case of a student Patrick Ndasabimana who quit school last year while in his second year and turned to Motorcucle taxi.

Ndasabimana told his friends that he would not survive another year in those conditions and would rather find a job that will at least give him shelter and food. Patrick can be found sitting on his bike near the taxi park, waiting for clients, and in the evenings sitting in pubs with his former classmates.

Thus students are requesting government to find a better way of handling their scholarship funds. By press time SFAR officials were not available for comment.

{{Despite his physical disability condition, Jean De la Croix Nikwigize 14 says nothing will stop him from achieving his dream of graduating as a Journalist.}}

Teachers at Gatagara school for disabled are impressed with the academic performance of Nikwigize. He uses his toes to write and doing most of his daily chores.

Nikwigize is in his 6th grade of primary education. He wants to study and acquire a degree in journalism.

“Nothing will stop me, writing is my passion and that’s why I want to be a reporter,” he said.

His teachers are optimistic that he will pursue his dream since he has been performing well both in science and grammar subjects, yet in physical exercises lessons Nikwigize still amazes his tutors.

Nikwigize plays soccer during his leisure time. He prefers the field position of midfield. Many of his fans admit that Nikwigize is good at football.

“He knows how to juggle the ball, and often takes advantage of the second half to pull his stunts since most players are tired,” said his friend Shaban.

Nikwigize claims that his talent of using his legs is a blessing to his life since no one taught him. “my mother told me that while I was growing up I developed an interest of using my toes and one day I shocked my mum when I fed myself by lifting a spoonful of food using my toes.”

However, he discourages people that undermine other people living with disability since the stigma instills an attitude of inferiority complex to some disabled people hence discouraging them from exploiting their talents.

“I urge those with physical challenges like me, to stand up tall and make use of their abilities.”

{{The article was first published in KIGALITODAY}}