The Minister of State for Education Dr. Mathias Harebamungu has cautioned young women against falling victims to some men who would lure them into sex and other forms of exploitation.
The Minister made the remarks on August 26 at celebrations to mark 50th anniversary since the founding of Rwaza Girls School in 1962, by Late Bishop Joseph Sibomana of Ruhengeri diocese, in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
Harebamungu told encouraged the students to value their future and concentrate on their studies saying they have the best opportunities today unlike in the past when education was for a few people.
He also hailed the school for its efforts in promoting education in Rwanda for the last 50 years and reminded the parents and teachers to give equal value to education and upbringing of the young generation so as to enable the children to live a bright future.
The Sisters of Assumption who run the school on a daily basis said the over 17,619 students have studied at the school since its establishment in 1962 and the school has performed well with passes ranked at 100%.
Sister Marthe Marie Nzabakurana, the school head said that the school’s good performance has been attributed to upholding core values of education and the Gospel among the students, thus the assurance of passing out upright students in the past years.
Bishop Vincent Harorimana, who presided over the Thanksgiving service at the celebrations, also underscored that school has a great contribution to Rwanda’s educational standards and students who have gone through Rwaza Girls have always earned respect and attended better institutions of higher learning.
Bishop Harorimana stated that these standards must be upheld in future and emphasized the need to continue educating young women on the HIV/Aids scourge, cultural values, self respect and dignity in the education.
Testimonies of former students like Mariya Therese Banoza, who attended school in the pioneer class of 1962, indicate the girl education was a struggle at the time and the success of a girl child depended on her intellectual capabilities.
Banoza says that back then in 1962, “it was hard for girls to study and even when one had the ability. Through consistence, hard work and the determination to inspire other girls, we were able to succeed. That is why the school has been a success story today” she said.