The challenge to stay in school.
on Annemiek Miller (Rwanda), 31/Jan/2006 10:08, 34 days ago
January 24Earlier, I wrote about Valens, the 20 yr. old student whom I support in his 3rd year of high school ( the equivalent of grade 9). He has started his school year with renewed confidence. Last weekend he went home to hear whether his sister had passed her“examen national” at the end of grade 6. Yesterday evening, he dropped by to tell me that yes, she had passed. The new school year started January 9 but without grade 7's and grade 10's. The grade 6 and grade 9 exam results came out a week ago and it takes another week for the students to learnwhich school offers them a place. There are no telephones to make a quick call to get the information. People have to walk to the district office to learn the results and then go back to the school to see where they might be placed. Valens could not tell me if his sister would actually be able to continue on to high school. Based on how good the results are successful candidates coming out of grade 6 are placed in the school of their choice. Secondary school costs money, however: about $400 a year if one counts residence, food, school materials and travel home. For a family whose income may be as little as $20 a month, such a sum would be unaffordable. In Valen's family there is a third child, a son, who is 18 years old. Although 2 years younger, he is 2 years ahead of Valens. Fortunately money was found to pay his school fees. In Valens' family there may be little money, but there isthe awareness that school is important and a strong commitment to get the children there.Such was not the case for 14 year old Claudine. I saw Claudine while I was having a chat with Vénantie, the principal of Kigeme Primary School. Claudine had passed the exam she wrote last November. She came to report to Vénantie, that her father was not allowing her to further her education. He had told her that she should stay home; education was only for the privileged and the rich, hehad told her. The principal urged Claudine to go to the local government office to tell her story. That office will likely invite Claudine's father to come and talk and they will urge him to change his mind. Claudine's case is an all too frequent one where a girl who wishes to continue, is not allowed to do so. Vénantie urged Claudine to come back the following day to tell how things had gone. Vénantie told me that every year at this time it breaks her heart to see many young girls thwarted in their efforts to continue their education.January 31Valens went home again this past weekend and reported joyously yesterday evening that his sister Chantal has started first form in a secondary school. School is an hour and a half walking from home, so she will be in residence. The family were happy with the 12, 000 francs I had sent with Valens to buy a mattress for Chantal. This afternoon I will make a run to Gikongoro to buy a mattress for Valens also. I reckon sleep and food are two important factors for academic success wherever one goes to school.