Journalists from different Radio stations and online media discussed about the weaknesses observed during the categorization of university students in the Ubudehe.
The show was broadcasted by different radio stations which are Isango star, Isangano, Ishingiro, Izuba , Inkoramutima and Voice of Africa, a radio synergy set up to foster the spirit of debate on serious issues the nation undergoes.
Presenters in the show were Madame Solange Ayanone and Fred Muvunyi.
The guests in the show were Ms Liliane Umugwaneza (Flash FM), Mr Danny Richard Iraguha (Isango Star), and Mr Anthere Rwanyange from Igihe.com.
Other guests were the Prime Minister Dr Habumuremyi Perre Damien Ministers of Education Dr Vincent Biruta and the Permanent Secretary Dr Mukabaranga Alivera , guests who did not manage to attend.
The main topic to discuss upon was the observed shortcomings on the elaboration of the new lists of students to receive the governmental fees to help them learn at university known as bursary.
Journalists present at the show highlighted that one of reasons why the list was not as accurate as expected is that the policy was set up and applied quickly.
It would be better if the policy could have taken time take time to be studied before its application so to let people get prepared to pay for their children in University because it is not easy to pay it without enough preparation, said one of the journalists.
Another concern was that students were not fully informed on the claiming about the categories they were put on.
The ones who recently were listed as deserving the support are the ones who managed to claim via different media;through twitter , facebook , or wrote letters to H.E Paul Kagame to let him know their concerns.
After the new list of students worthy to receive the support , many other students still say they are unjustly unlisted while they should.
The ones who managed to get to the list say that they were sent to different universities other than the ones they are used to study in, journalists revealed.
Others say that they belong nowhere on the list while they underwent a check up from their respective homes.
Concerning the role journalism has played to inform the population about the situation, journalists said media faced challenges relating to barriers of not receiving information from trusted sources, meaning Ministries in charge or REB (Rwanda Education Board).
As the senior officials invited in the show were not around to react on the issues raised by journalists, the debate was not as informative on the issue as it was expected to be.
This show is under sponsorship of European Union and supervised by both IPP and ARJ, two institutions aiming at fostering debating culture and free speech on issues of national interests.
The show takes place every Sunday from 2h00 to 3h00 PM broadcasted on all the radio stations shown above.
NIZEYIMANA Jean Pierre
UM– USEKE.RW
