The University of Kibungo is in a very dire financial crisis that it has not paid its employees for the last five months. Yes, that’s it; five months. Those kinds of salary arrears are only found in grossly mismanaged entities or failed states, but no amount of excuses can vindicate the plight of the workers. Incidentally, the university’s management places the blame of their predicament on delayed payment of school fees by students and late remittances by government agencies such as the Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) that covers the fees of some of the students. It claims that most students only pay their fees when exams are approaching. Two flaws that quickly jump to the fore and an indication of poor management; how does the school tolerate students who have not paid their dues within its walls yet their money is its lifeline? Arguing that FARG delays to make remittances does not hold any water either. No commercial bank can fail to advance money to the university knowing well that FARG’s cheque is just around the corner. Definitely, the management of the university has failed to think outside the box. This is an issue the Higher Education Council and Rwanda Education Board should look into. How does the university expect its disenchanted lecturers to deliver on empty stomachs? From the look of things, the University of Kibungo will not extricate itself from its problems on its own. It needs the intervention of higher authorities as gambling with the education of the country’s future should be far from its mind. editorial@newtimesrwanda.com
