Kindergarten, lower primary schools to reopen soon in January

The Inspirer writer.

Nursery and lower primary schools in Rwanda will reopen doors to resume physical learning on January 18, 2021 according to the announcement by the Ministry of Education.

The announcement was made yesterday in a press conference that was attended by the Minister of Education, Dr Valentine Uwamariya and Gaspard Twagirayezu, State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary education.

The new school calendar released on January 6, 2021 shows that the first term of these class levels will end on April 2, meaning they will have studied for a period of 11 weeks.

Their second term will kick-off on April 19, and will end on June 11, the calendar shows.

After a holiday of three weeks, these students will go back to school for their third term on July 5 and end it on September 3.

Many parents welcomed the news after their previous complaints over the delayed reopening of kindergarten and lower primary schools; given that some international schools have students in the same class levels who are currently attending classes.

Minister Uwamariya said that there are discussions underway between the Ministry of Education and health authorities to prioritize safety of students.

However, health experts advised that the decision to permit nursery and lower primary classes to resume studies will be based on a health assessment, putting into consideration the current surge in Covid-19 cases and fatalities. — The New Times reports.