CNLG on the spot over genocide survivors’ education

Legislators have put to task the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) on the way forward to enhance the education of genocide survivors.The concerns were sparked off by a 2010-2011 CNLG report presented by to a joint parliamentary session, on Wednesday, which disclosed that only about 2,000 survivors made it to higher institutions of learning.The report indicates that over 12,000 survivors who completed their secondary school education failed to get government sponsorship in the last few years and are stranded due to lack of funds to support them to attain higher education.MPs requested the commission to develop an urgent roadmap on how to solve the issue of survivors who are out of school to ensure that they are supported.However, according to Jean de Dieu Mucyo, the Executive Secretary of CNLG, joint efforts from the public are still needed to support the survivors’ education.“This is still a very huge challenge we are facing; we call upon the concerned Rwandans to have a hand in this matter by helping them to get full education,” Mucyo appealed.Reacting to the report, MP Connie Bwiza, said she was concerned with cases of survivors’ property that remain unresolved, citing it as one of the aspects largely affecting their welfare. Most of the cases petitioned to the commission involve guardians not handing over inherited property when children come of age.She called upon the commission to ensure survivors acquire their property as soon as possible. According to the report, there are currently 159 cases involving survivors’ property.Responding on the matter, Mucyo said the delays are attributed to bureaucracy as such cases are normally addressed by the Ministry of Local Government.“The property identification is done by MINALOC through districts which lead to delays while others are caused by family wrangles,” he argued, adding that the commission would in its 2011-2012 action plan prioritise the matter.Among other issues raised was the sorry state of some genocide memorial sites which CNLG said requires a lot of funds for renovation.