FAWE to construct more schools

KIGALI - The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Rwanda chapter has embarked on the construction of five centres across the country. The programme kicked off with the construction of a science oriented school in Rukara Sector; Kayonza District, Eastern province. Speaking during a media workshop, the acting FAWE National Coordinator, Donatha Gihana, said that the school will cater for the education needs of female students in the province. According to FAWE, the school is also poised to improve students’ knowledge in mathematics, science and technology. “The initial construction work is over. We are preparing to have our first batch of students in January 2010. The school will offer pure sciences course for the students,” said Gihana. The Rukara FAWE centre of excellence is geared towards ensuring that a holistic education is given to the girls and provide safety and security for students. The Eastern Province FAWE School will supplement the existing FAWE Girls’ School located in Gisozi, Kigali City, and according to the officials, the organisation plans to have five schools across the country. “It is in our plan to eventually create five girls’ centres of excellence, at least one in each province,” Gihana said.She noted that the centres will help accommodate more girl students, and provide a model of excellence to promote girl-child education. In a related development, a global household consumer goods manufacturer, Procter and Gamble (P&G), has committed to deliver a sanitary pad donation to Rwanda through FAWE to combat the prevailing sanitary pad accessibility problems. Previous research findings by Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE) organisation, a local NGO, indicate that during menstrual days, half of Rwandan girl students miss classes because they cannot afford sanitary towels. P&G’s donation comes in the company’s flagship brand Always, under the ‘Always Protecting Futures Keeping Girls in School’ programme. Currently Rwanda is one of the few East African countries that continue to levy a Value Added Tax on sanitary pads of 18%. Ends