Joint action promised over delayed student allowances

Four institutions in Rwanda have resolved to work together to end delays in the allocation of living allowances to government-sponsored students.

The institutions are the University of Rwanda, the Higher Education Council, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) which facilitates the payment, and Rwanda Polytechnics (RP) which brings together Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges (IPRCs).

For years, university students have complained about long delays – sometimes up to three months – in receiving their bursaries.

A total of 28,446 government-sponsored students are beneficiaries of the allowance. They receive RWF35,000 (US$37) which they use to pay for rent, photocopying, and other necessities.

The monthly stipends are given by the government through BRD as a loan that is serviced once the beneficiaries graduate and start working.

Beneficiaries are poor students who perform well in secondary school and are studying at the University of Rwanda and IPRCs.

“Sometimes we spend three months without getting the bursary and you wonder how we survive as we fully depend on the monthly stipend we are given,” said an affected student from the University of Rwanda’s college of arts and social sciences.

Earlier this month students expressed their frustrations on Twitter and one group composed a short song and recorded a prayer, which were widely circulated.

Both emphasised the difficult circumstances of students due to delayed allocations. They asked BRD as well as other concerned institutions to work on the issue and resolve it.

Responding to the posts, Kampeta Sayinzoga, the newly appointed chief executive officer of BRD, said the students’ voices had been heard and the bank was ready to solve the problem.

“Dear students, you spoke and BRD listened, we want to improve our communication regarding government bursaries,” she tweeted, also informing the students about the new Twitter account that was opened specifically to ensure effective communication.

On 17 January, BRD said 98% of students had so far received living allowances for December.

In a recent joint press conference, officials attributed delays in bursary disbursement to incorrect information provided by students and delays in signing contracts with the bank.

Officials from all the institutions involved resolved to work together to ensure effective communication and address any issue hampering the smooth and timely disbursement of allowances.

Claudine Matata, head of the education financing department at BRD, said the issue was also caused by ICT-related issues but promised it would be solved and students would be getting their monthly living allowances regularly and on time.

According to Dr Rose Mukankomeje, executive director of the Higher Education Council, the money for government-sponsored students was available.

She said the government was ready to do all it could to work with concerned institutions to ensure effective communication so that students get their living allowances on time.

Dr Charles Murigande, the University of Rwanda’s deputy vice-chancellor for institutional advancement, said the university would work with students’ representatives in different colleges to ensure timely reporting of issues that may cause delays and report to the bank and the Higher Education Council.