Editor,

Please allow me to react to the article, "Don calls for efforts to boost women scientists” (The New Times, August 22).

Let’s be very clear: the issue that women are underrepresented at CST (College of Science and Technology) or any other University of Rwanda’s campus (only 31% of fresh students this year are girls) is not the girls’ problem.

It is the problem of teachers, especially male teachers, who have for generations had low expectations for girls.

Decades of research worldwide proves that when teachers have high expectations for students (all students), the latter will respond enthusiastically knowing that their teachers believe in them.

So teachers: show your female students that you believe in them, and they will set the standard of performance.

Thomas, Rwanda