Students in Musanze district are flocking Musanze Prison to attend holiday coaching provided by jailed teachers.The over 300 students from both primary and secondary schools, attend the coaching sessions in two shifts. Aline Mukashema, 17, a Senior Four student benefiting from the programme that has been going on for more than 10 years, started attending the sessions while still in Senior Two.“I was coached in sciences and languages and this helped me pass my national exams. My family and I, therefore, decided to continue with the sessions,” said Mukashema.The students usually pay Rwf100 for each hour coached. The subjects often taught are sciences and languages but some prefer combining them with ICT.The arrangement is preferred by many students, according to Dominique Gatsimbanyi, the teachers’ representative at the prison, because they are taught courses related to what they learn at school. Teachers speak “We teach each student individually so that each can grasp what is being taught,” said Gatsimbanyi, a holder of languages degree.“We have permission from education officials at the provincial level to coach the students following the Ministry of Education curricula.”The coaching centre which started in 2001, has teachers with various qualifications.Francois Ntirushwa, the Musanze Prison chief, says prisoners have played a significant role for the community in various forms, including teaching.
