Students at Ikizere Vocational School in Rwamagana District are stranded following the disappearance of the school’s proprietor, Morris Bizimana. It is alleged that Bizimana fled after emptying all the school accounts. The school, that boasts over 100 students, the majority of them girls, was left wallowing in debt by the proprietor who is rumoured to have fled to Uganda. At least 75 girls at the school have their fees paid by Plan Rwanda, an international NGO, and officials from the organisation say they had cleared tuition for all their students. Last week, students who had been undertaking practical courses in different disciplines, were stunned when they got to the school only to find the doors closed. A group of students and parents, accompanied by members of staff, later lodged a complaint against Bizimana at the Rwamagana police. Police yesterday confirmed receiving the complaint, saying that besides parents who claim to have been fleeced of tuition fees, there are other people claiming to be Bizimana’s creditors. “We have registered several complaints since Bizimana’s disappearance. We have gathered bounced cheques he issued totaling to over Rwf9 million. Complaints are still piling up,” said IP Emmanuel Kayigi, the police spokesperson, Eastern Region. Bizimana allegedly left the students, the majority of whom are in the boarding section, with no food. “There was no money left in the school coffers. He literally took everything and left us to starve,” said Claudine Mujawamariya, one of the affected students. According to a reliable source, Bizimana had accumulated millions in debts from different individuals and institutions. “His disappearance was long overdue. This is a man who has been conning individuals and institutions. He had not paid teachers for more than six months. The students were starved until an NGO intervened to give them transport home,” said a source from the school who preferred anonymity. Bizimana is said to have messed up another school in Kayonza District in similar circumstances. When contacted, Alice Rwema Iribagiza, the Plan Rwanda communication officer, told The New Times that they had paid over Rwf20 million in tuition for the girls they sponsored for different courses at the vocational school. “We are very disappointed that the vulnerable students we supported are not able to complete their education. We call upon all stakeholders to intervene so that the 75 girls can complete their studies,” she said.
