Parents have been encouraged to send their children to school on time according to the scheduled transport calendar to avoid high turn-ups in the last days which may paralyse public transport.
The call was made by Augustin Vianney Kavutse, the head of the quality assurance department at the National Examination and Schools Inspection Authority (NESSA) on September 22.
Classes for the new academic year are expected to begin countrywide on Monday, September 26.
Kavutse was addressing the media at the Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo where the boarding students from six districts boarded buses to their respective schools, which was marred by low turn up.
"Mostly on the first day, the turn-up is low compared to the last days’ something we discourage because it affects the schedule and the bus distribution as well,” he said
In addition, he said that the exercise is in line with assuring that students are present on the first day of school reopening and are ready to start the term and encouraged parents to follow the timetable accordingly.
Kavutse further pointed out that generally, the schools are ready to receive the students accordingly. However, he also urged those who are not yet ready to be prepared and parents to send students with full requirements.
The new academic year 2022-2023 is scheduled to start on Monday, September 26, and end on December 23.
Herve Shema Irumva, a student at E.S Nyange in the Ngororero district said that he is ready and prepared to get back to school with the target to pass his national exams as he is now going into senior three.
Speaking to The New Times, Francoise Niyonsaba, a parent who had accompanied her child to the stadium said that the holidays were long which gave them enough time to prepare the children in various ways such as revision, materials, and school fees.
The students are returning to school after the government harmonized school fees to Rwf 85,000 for boarding students and Rwf19,500 for day those in day school in public and government-aided schools.
While the primary and pre-primary students will contribute Rwf957 for school feeding.
The calendar
According to NESSA students from the districts Kamonyi, Nyanza, Ngororero, Musanze, Rwamagana, and Kayonza headed back to school on Thursday.
On Friday, September 23, students whose schools are located in the districts of Nyamagabe, Ruhango, Burera, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Gatsibo, and Nyagatare will go back to school.
While, on Saturday, September 24, students who study in Huye, Muhanga, Rulindo, Gakenke, Karongi, Rustiro, and Bugesera will head to their respective schools and on Sunday, students whose schools are located in the City of Kigali, Nyaruguru, Gisagara, and Gicumbi districts will report back.