20 August 2020

This conversation brought together participants including the Minister of Education Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Mr Antoine Mugesera, member of Rwanda elders’ advisory forum and Eric Kayiranga, the Assistant coordinator at the National Youth Council in Nyarugenge district on Radio Rwanda. The participants shared their views on the role of “Ndi Umunyarwanda” in building Rwanda’s education system and ensuring equal opportunities to education are given to all Rwandans.

The conversation highlighted progress registered to date that wouldn’t have been possible without the deliberate government policy to educate all without discrimination.

Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, the Minister of Education, talked about equal opportunities for everyone to study regardless of age, location and gender. Additionally, she mentioned that Government policies emphasise to everyone’s education access as a fundamental right for every Rwandan, young and old.  

“Access to Education for all is inclusive by design providing equal opportunities for everyone to go to school regardless of location, age, economic status or gender. Before 1994, it was totally different, not every Rwandan had the chance of going to school. However, today the Governmental policies emphasise on access to education as a fundamental right for every Rwandan, young and old.” Dr. Uwamariya said.

Eric Kayiranga, the Assistant coordinator at the National Youth Council in Nyarugenge district, centred his views on the fact that the education is one of the strongest weapons one can use to change the world. He also highlighted that the opportunity of studying has been put in place without discriminations.   

He said “Education is one of the strongest weapons one can use to change the world. As youth, we all have been given that opportunity without discrimination and we are witnesses of this non-discriminatory education system. We are educated and trained on national values; we know well that Rwanda we want will be shaped by our contribution as young Rwandans”

Antoine Mugesera, a member of Rwanda elders’ advisory forum, base his arguments on how the former government taught, propagated and entrenched ideologies of segregation in all sectors of the country.  

“Previous governments taught and entrenched ideologies of segregation in all sectors of the country, including schools, because governments then wanted the youth to uphold these ideologies. On the contrary, now the current government of Rwanda has put a lot of effort in establishing an education system that doesn’t discriminate and that will nurture capable and intelligent leaders of tomorrow that will continue to steer the country in the right direction of development.” Mugesera said.