Ministry of education warns over the nicknaming habits in Rwandan Universities

During the closing ceremony of the retreat of students who qualified for the entry in the national universities, a ceremony that took place yesterday at Nkumba sector in Musanze district, officials from the Ministry of education urged the participants to eradicate the habits for nicknaming newly admitted students to university.

For the officials, these names dehumanize the concerned students who normally deserve love and respect as new comers.

This degrading habit prevailed, and keeps prevailing, in the former National University and these very warning concerns all higher institutions of education in Rwanda.

For the Minister of education Dr Musafiri, this habit is useless as it does provide any necessary added value to their schooling and social integration as new comers.

During the induction week, new students are eager to learn from their elders and university staff so to ease their integration, Dr Musafiri advised.

He continued saying that if they (new university students) don’t receive such expectations, the reverse is frustration and despair.

Dr Musafiri urged the older students to friendly treat their brothers and, therefore, change the situation.
Another issue raised by the Minister of education Dr Musafiri was the fact that newly admitted students to universities should bear in mind that marks are worked for and not got for nothing.

One of the students present in the retreat called Umwari Doreen thanked the advises and promised that everything necessary will be done to ensure that these degrading habits are fought against.

For her, this will enhance the learning process and help them become future effective and caring mothers.

Currently Rwanda embodies not less than 50 universities, both private and public ones.

UM– USEKE.RW