Burundian refugees in neighbouring Rwanda will get a rare opportunity to continue with their studies in the country’s institutions of higher learning.
Aroudn 260 Burundian students who fled the human rights violations in their country after completing high school as well as those that were at university level have already began lessons in Rwanda, according to Jean Claude Ciza, president of the association of refugee students at Mahama refugee camp in Bugesera district, Eastern Province.
“The government of Rwanda, in partnership with UNHCR, is supporting us to resume our education here in Rwanda. We want to continue with studies and, we are lucky to get an opportunity to study in the Rwandan universities,” Ciza told reporters Saturday at Mahama refugee camp.
The students have been provided with the basic school necessities such as clothes, mattresses, soaps, beddings, shoes and scholastic materials among others.
Most Burundian refugees fled the country in 2015 after violence hit most parts of the country following President Pierre Nkurunziza’s declaration that he would bid for a controversial third term in office, one that he went on to win in the July poll.
“We are committed to ensure that all refugee students with a merit are given chance to access university education, and we have initiated a move, with the support of UNHCR,” Rwanda minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs Seraphine Mukantabana said.
