Some playing grounds turned into  classrooms’ construction  plots in Eastern Province.

Desire Muhire.

Classrooms are being constructed in various regions of the country in the program of tackling the overcrowding of students.

It has been observed that in some places, classrooms are constructed in current playing grounds especially football grounds of the schools as they are the only spaces they have to host buildings.

Some people thought that games and entertainments are losing the value despite the big role they have in the government’s development priorities.

One of many examples is a playing ground in Kiramuruzi sector, Gatsibo district  which was turned into a classrooms’ construction plot.

Jean Claude Nzavugankize, a student of secondary school who is a resident of Kiramuruzi sector in Gatsibo district near the football ground dubbed ‘Ku Giti Cy’itora’ told MUHAZIYACU that this ground became a site for school construction.

Nzavugankize who holds the 7th place in a school’s football team said that they don’t have another option only that they request for another possible solution to avail a playing ground as they used to play from this one when they are in holidays  before Covid-19 entered the country. 

“I request the officials to give us an other playing ground near by the school. I appreciate the school buildings as most important infrastructure but also we need to play.” He said.

He added that this playing ground which was given the name of “Stade Amabati Igiti Cy’itora” due to the big and long Eucalyptus tree planted there used to host six teams per day from various sectors of Gatsibo district.

 “This playing ground was liked by many people.” He said. 

Vestine Yankurije, Executive Secretary of Kiramuruzi sector said that they knew that the place was a playing ground before making it a site for school construction but they considered the most important.

“But we also remember that children who will study in these classrooms will also need to play.” She said.

“As you can see, here is a space between the site but it is not enough to host all kinds of sports. As the authorities, we planned for another ground in Gakenke cell in 1 kilometer from here.” She explained. 

She added that only small playing grounds like the ones of basketball and volleyball will be constructed in a space between the classrooms.

Yankurije explained that the other playing ground in Gakenke cell is big enough and that they were promised by Fair Construction Company to beautify it.

Fred Mufulukye, the governor of the Eastern Province said they will construct classrooms at many sites and most of them don’t have playing grounds.

“This is the first session to build classrooms, the second one will see the construction of other infrastructures such as playing grounds.” Mufulukye noted.

5,803 classrooms are being constructed on 708 sites in the Eastern Province and among them 100 sites are new.