By Jean de Dieu Ndayisaba.
Overcrowding in schools located in Bugarama sector of Rusizi district, caused by a shortage of classrooms and inadequate school furniture, is expected to reduce following the handover of five new classrooms and nearly 1,000 desks donated by education partners.
Local authorities say the new infrastructure is already contributing to improved learning conditions, as more students are now able to study in less congested classrooms.
GS Bugarama cité, one of the beneficiary schools supported by Hands around the world and the Rwanda school village project, has seen a significant improvement in classroom conditions. According to the school’s headteacher, Mbarushimana Hamimu, student congestion has steadily declined since the partnership with the organizations began.
“Previously, one desk could be shared by five to six pupils, but now only four pupils use one desk,” he said.
As part of efforts to further reduce overcrowding and ensure a more comfortable learning environment, five newly constructed classrooms have recently been completed at the school, along with 230 desks for students.
Mike Haden from Hands around the world, which currently supports nine schools in Bugarama Sector, expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the last 15 years of cooperation with local schools. However, he noted that more support is still needed to completely eliminate congestion.
“In the past, some schools were in very poor condition, with damaged walls and unsafe roofs. We realized that new classrooms were urgently needed. Although the government was also constructing classrooms at the time, the needs far exceeded the available facilities. That is why we launched a project to build 15 classrooms at Bugarama Cité two years ago. Even this year, we have continued construction, but for now we have no funds to proceed further. We hope the government or other donors will step in to continue the work,” he said.
Following the distribution of more than 1,000 desks in five schools across the sector, despite some classrooms still lacking adequate seating. Dr. Simon Mbarushimana from Rwanda School Village Project assured that additional furniture will be provided.
“This was only the first phase of the desk distribution. In the second phase, school administrators will compile and submit their remaining needs. As long as they continue to manage resources transparently and sustainably, we are committed to continuing our support,” he stated.
The Mayor of Rusizi District, Phanuel Sindayiheba, welcomed the partners’ contribution, saying it would significantly reduce classroom congestion and improve learning conditions for students.
“These new classrooms will allow us to relocate some students, thereby reducing overcrowding in the existing classrooms. The additional 1,000 desks will also greatly help, as students will now sit two or three per desk instead of four as was the case in some schools. Overall, this will enable students to learn in a more comfortable environment and improve the quality of education, since teachers can better attend to each learner when class sizes are smaller,” the Mayor said.
Over the past 15 years, through collaboration between Hands around the World, Rwanda School Village Project, and the local government of Rusizi District, a total of 52 classrooms have been constructed in the sectors of Bugarama and Nzahaha. Officials from Rwanda School Village Project state that the project has so far cost £500 million UK pounds.
