Students call for living allowance hike after food prices soar

Government-sponsored students in Rwanda have called for an increase in their living allowance following a sharp increase in the market price of almost every commodity that has left many Rwandans struggling.

The students who receive support under the Ubudehe programme come from poor families. The package covers their tuition and includes a monthly living allowance of RF40,000 (US$40). This allowance is to be used towards accommodation, food, and other household and personal items, as well as cover academic supplies. Once they graduate and find employment, they are expected to pay back the loan.

However, students say it is impossible to live on this amount after the recent price increases. And without a roof over their heads and food in their bodies, studying is becoming a challenge.

According to students, the price of sugar has doubled from RF900 (US$0.9) to between RF1,700 and RF1,800 (US$1.7-US$1.8) per kilogram. A kilogram of rice now costs RF1,500 Rwandan Francs (US$1.5), an increase of 50%. A tube of soap that used to cost RF500 (US$0.5), now costs RF800 (US$0.8) while the price of a litre of cooking oil has doubled to RF3,000 (US$3).

Can you study without food, shelter?

“The bursary we get and the prices on the market are not compatible anymore," said Hakorimana, a second-year student communication student. "The current monthly living allowance we get does not even cover rent and meals which are the prerequisite for one to at least be able to study."

According to students, a shared room costs RF15,000 (US$15) per month. It is almost impossible to find an establishment where they can eat both lunch and dinner at an affordable price.

"There is no restaurant where you can use US$1 to have both meals a day and even if it was, the balance after one has covered the accommodation is not enough," Hakorimana said.

Sylvine, a second-year law student, said they are facing a dilemma. “We cannot manage to access the basics we need as students. The fact that one must come from a poor family to qualify for the tuition fees and a monthly living allowance, means that we are living a miserable life.” She said that because the loans are to be repaid, the allowance should be increased now so their studies are not affected.

Straton Habyarimana, an economic analyst, said that living allowances for government-sponsored students should always be revised to meet the market demands. This can keep students focused on their studies.

Is an allowance increase overdue?

"The monthly living allowance can be compared to salaries to align it with the prices on the market. Besides, there should be guidelines or policy on how the living allowances can be disbursed," he said.

Habyarimana added that if a considerable time has passed since the last increase, it is understandable that students have a problem dealing with the prices on the market out there. “Let's say that five years ago, the price of different commodities has doubled or even tripled, the allowances also need to be increased," he added.

Four years ago, the Rwandan government increased the living allowances from RF25,000 (US$25) to the current RF40,000 (US$40).

Habyarimana expressed concern that if the living allowance no longer allows provides for students’ most basic needs, their education would suffer.

"Students lose focus and become so frustrated, wondering how they will survive tomorrow as they cannot meet the basic needs. As a result, they fail to study. Much as the government has other duties to fulfil, it also must take care of the young students as they are future leaders," he said.

University to advocate for an increase

Several efforts to get comments from the Higher Education Council (HEC), a public body with the responsibility to support students from vulnerable families, were fruitless.

According to Ignatius Kabagambe, the University of Rwanda's head of corporate communications, the university is concerned with the life of students and will keep pushing for the government to increase the living allowance.

"With market prices of almost every commodity going up, it becomes harder for anyone, let alone students, to balance income and expenditure. I face the same challenge myself. I now spend more on fuel, gas, and cooking oil for example, yet my salary has not changed," he said.

"The University of Rwanda administration will always at the right time advocate for an increase in students' welfare allowances. When the economic situation allows, the government will certainly consider increasing allowances. There is no doubt about that," he added.

The students interviewed requested to only be identified by their first names.