Overcrowded class rooms, where almost 100 children sit in one class room and 5 to 6 children sit on the same chair is a big challenge in Rwandan schools.
It has been verified that the problem led to increase of drop-outs from schools, children being de-motivated to attend school, and even children experiencing health problems due to bad sitting positions.
‘We are very happy that with Actionaid support, in my class, we now sit only two children per desk. We used to be 5 and could not write well, because the writing table couldn’t be enough. Other children in other classes did not have chairs; they only sat on cut tree trunks and logs which was even worse, they did not have tables to help and support their learning materials,’ said Jeannine, 12, a pupil in Mpanga Primary School. For us girls, we sometimes could not have seats, as boys would push us and we cannot fight them. ’
Actionaid has from 2008 to 2009 been able to provide about 547 class room desks to four primary schools in Nyanza. Desks were accompanied by chairs and tables for teachers as well as bookshelves. The schools which received the desks and chairs are Mubuga primary school which got 117, Kavumu, 200 and Mpanga 230. Mpanga has 580 pupils (310 girls and 270 boys) and Mubuga has 665 pupils (327 girls and 338 girls).
In Murundi sector, the situation was not any better as about 100 children used to sit in one room and 5 to 6 children sit on the same chair.
It has been verified that the problem led to increment of dropouts from schools, children being demotivated to attend school, and even children experiencing healthy problem due to bad sitting positions.
For Yvette Abayisenga, 12, Murehe primary school of Murundi, joy is immense: she says; `
“At My school, we were very happy that Actionaid gave us desks. Some of the pupils were sitting down on the floor. It was so demotivating when you have only one uniform and you have to sit on the floor full of dust. Now we have new desks, everyone has a place to sit. I believe that this will increase our performance in class. We will be able to listen carefully and take good notes from teachers.”
521 class room desks have been given to three primary schools in Murundi. Desks were accompanied by chairs and tables for teachers as well as bookshelves.
‘We are very happy that with Actionaid support, in my class, we now sit only two children per chair. We use to be 5 and we do not write well, because the writing table could be enough. Many children in my class did not like to come to school because they sit down on the flow or sat on cut tree trunks which was even worse, they did not have tables to help and support their learning materials.’
Said Ngabo Eric, 13; a pupil in Gikoro primary school.
Actionaid also provided about 485 class room desks to three primary schools in Shingiro; Gikoro primary school, Nyamurimirwa primary school, and Muhingo primary school.