HUYE – The second phase of the construction of classrooms under the Nine Year Basic Education (9YBE) programme kicked off in Huye district with a ground braking exercise in Tumba Sector last week-end.

Under the second phase, the district requires 73 classrooms and 144 toilet units that will be used by students who will be promoted to the next level under the 9YBE programme next year.

According to the district Mayor Francois Uhagaze, local residents are expected to play an active role during the construction exercise that is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"Residents are expected to contribute construction materials like sand, bricks and stones while the Ministry of Education will provide roofing materials and cement among others. The ministry will also foot the wage bill for construction workers,” said the Mayor.

The exercise that kicked-off in Mpare Cell, Tumba Sector saw the levelling of the ground on which a six classroom block will be constructed.

Alphonse Mutsindashyaka, the Tumba Sector Executive Secretary, told The New Times that 10 toilet units will be built in addition to the six classroom block.

"We are mobilising local residents to contribute in the same way they did during the first phase of the construction exercise, we are optimistic that work will be completed by the end of this year,” he said.

The Mayor, however, revealed that the first phase of the classroom exercise has not been completed in different parts of the district. Many classrooms are incomplete while over 100 toilet units have not been constructed.

"It is our duty to contribute towards the completion of these classrooms, we have to double our efforts if we have to complete the exercise on time,” the Mayor said during a meeting with residents of Ngoma Sector after community work last Saturday.

The 9YBE programme was introduced by government mainly to check on the rate of secondary school drop-outs. 

Under the programme, students will be able to attend the initial phase of their secondary studies at the schools where they completed primary education. The programme combines the 6 years of primary and the 3 years of ‘O’ Level.

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