Most primary and secondary schools will re-open for the third term next week on Monday. Others, especially boarding schools, will start receiving the returning students much earlier on Saturday and Sunday. This is a good strategy as it means that they get a chance to start classes on Monday just like their colleagues in day schools. The third term is typically shorter than the other two academic terms. However it carries a lot of weight since it is in this term that final examinations for candidates are done. At the same time, other classes also do examinations which determine whether they should be promoted to the next class or not. Therefore this is a term that ought to be taken more seriously. This seriousness is expected from all the stakeholders; teachers, parents and more importantly the students themselves. For a start, schools should be ready to receive students and this entails stocking up on food supplies, fumigating the sleeping areas in order to rid them of any bugs. Teachers on holiday should return and prepare to embark on completing the syllabi. For the students, a lot more is expected in terms of discipline and academic effort for they need to be ready for their examinations at the end of the year. It is not simply an issue of sitting the exams but also aiming for good marks. Success or failure in these examinations is bound to greatly influence one’s future so utmost seriousness ought to be accorded. The parents cannot be left out when apportioning responsibilities. Parents and guardians need to furnish the students with all the necessary scholastic materials before the school term starts. Some lazy students will be quick to claim that they failed examinations because they did not have this or the other. To seal that window, a parent should endeavour to give his child the necessary items. Kigali is becoming more and more urban by the day with supermarkets opening up in all corners. These supermarkets stock thousands of goods including scholastic materials. Usually as the holiday comes to an end, these supermarkets often offer their customers a grand sale on these materials commonly dubbed the Back to school offer or bonanza. Under this scheme, prices of most common scholastic materials are brought down as the seller expects bulk purchases of the same products. This is not only limited to supermarkets as several stationery shops in and around town will do the same. After understanding the significance of the third term, it is only imperative that a parent takes time to find out from his/her child the most important requirements for school. Alternatively, a parent may even consult the school authorities on the vital things to purchase for the child. Among the most important things to buy are books, pens, pencils, and a geometry set. On top of these, a student ought to have a scientific calculator. Some parents tend to buy these items a week or two to the examination time not knowing that a student needs more time to get used to using these gadgets before it’s too late. It can be very frustrating if your son fails to calculate a number simply because they do not know how to turn on the second function option of their brand new Casio calculator. The third term is very short but again very crucial, and therefore a student needs to appear at school with all the necessary requirements. The students should be in position to concentrate on their studies without any hindrances. Make sure that items like mobile phones are not taken by a student to school as they only serve to distract them. Reporting to school on time and armed with all the essential requirements can go a long way in preparing your student for the final exams this November. Do not forget to pay the school dues in time as this can be the first source of problems. ssenyonga@gmail.com
