Rwanda: Elementary school students take classes under a tree
By Jeanne D’arc Umwana
Voice of America News
Kigali
September 29, 2009
In Mutara, a locality in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, elementary school students who take classes under a tree are in crucial need of help.
During our recent visit to Rwimiyaga Elementary School in Nyagatare District, Eastern province of Rwanda, the Voice of America (VOA) found seven Acacia sieberiana trees which serve as classroom walls. Due to a crucial lack of classrooms in Mutara, elementary school students take classes under these trees.
According to elementary teachers in Nyagatare, it has been more than ten years that these children take classes under these trees. Some of these children take classes in classrooms without covered roof tops. They take classes while sitting on the ground while some of them who happen to be fortunate enough take classes while sitting on wooden beams.
When the VOA team got at Rwimiyaga Elementary School, we found children studying under the trees. Their teachers told us that all day long the children follow the tree’s shade [to cope with the heat of the day]. However, when it rains, the children run all over the place toward nearby shelters.
The teachers also told us that such precarious conditions are detrimental to student performances. Over time, these conditions lead to frequent drop outs that are preventable.
Hopefully, if things go as planned, the teachers at Rwimiyaga Elementary School, are confident that some of these children may cease to take classes under a tree and move out in classrooms that are currently under construction.
Disclaimer:
The above article has been translated into English from its Kinyarwanda version. Only the Kinyarwanda version shall prevail.
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posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 9:39 PM
1 Comments:
we know that the population around these areas are dispersed and therefore not easy for the government to mobalise resourses or take development to their individual home. their lifestyle is about moving far away from agricultural farmers because of their livestock and search for pasture. therefore instead of their kids walking long journeys to where well built classroom are prefer studying under the shades of trees. and it's already mention that classroom are under construction.
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