World Bank sponsorship scheme a controversy

After reading the controversy that has developed over default of tuition for dozens of students formerly sponsored by the World Bank- multi-country HIV/Aids program [MAP] in Gatsibo and Nyagatare, I could not help but wonder if things will always happen as we just sit back and look on.

Friday, January 11, 2008

After reading the controversy that has developed over default of tuition for dozens of students formerly sponsored by the World Bank- multi-country HIV/Aids program [MAP] in Gatsibo and Nyagatare, I could not help but wonder if things will always happen as we just sit back and look on.

MAP, a non governmental organization has been sponsoring a good number of unprivileged students including orphans and other vulnerable children from homes affected by Aids in the two districts.

It’s controversial because the Global Fund is taking over the sponsoring of the affected students from MAP, but without inheriting the tuition arrears yet the debts estimated in millions were reportedly accumulated in a period of two school semesters in 2007.

But that is not the worst part of it. A few days after the new term started, school authorities are shunning the students unless they cleared their outstanding debts.

Notices have been pined at the school notice boards barring MAP students from entering class and eventually many other schools in Gatsibo are reluctant to register the affected students.

It should be explained why Global Fund is taking over the students and as we continue to advocate for literacy should we sit back and watch such pseudo companies undermine our efforts?

Kiyovu