Africa-Press – Rwanda. First Lady Jeannette Kagame on May 24 awarded 123 best-performing girls from primary, ordinary, and advanced levels, encouraging them to acquire life skills in addition to academic excellence.
Held at Intare Conference Arena, the awarding ceremony also marked the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Promotion of Girls’ Education Campaign, under the theme “20 Years of Inspiring Girls to Excel.”
Initiated in 2005 by the First Lady, the campaign aims to address gender disparities in education by encouraging and increasing girls’ school enrolment, retention, and excellence.
It recognizes girls’ high academic performance as “Inkubito z’Icyeza,” inspiring healthy competition and school retention, and motivating other girls to excel. This year, a total of 471 girls from across the country will be recognized and will receive their awards at their respective schools.
Mrs. Kagame said that it’s been 20 years since the seeds of building capacity, confidence, and knowledge in the girl child were sown, and these fruits have already ripened in schools, families, administration, and national development.
She took note that some of the alumni of the programme have become doctors, educators, security personnel, leaders, and other diverse professions, and continue to be exemplary.
“It is 20 years of courage, wisdom, and great strength exhibited by the girls who were selected for their talent and passion for success.”
The campaign addresses gender disparities in education by promoting girls’ enrollment, retention, and academic excellence.
In this time of globalisation and rapid development, she said, it seems that things are easy but it is not enough to provide opportunities for young people, whether girls or boys.
“There are many things that young people see but they do not have the mindset and behaviour that help them face challenges in their daily life, make decisions, think critically, have confidence, and the ability to build good relationships with others. Without these, the opportunities may be wasted.”
She called on the youngsters to celebrate the 20th anniversary but also think about where the next celebration will find them, urging that it should find them as girls and women, who are the parents of tomorrow, capable and intelligent.
“The idea for this programme came from our country’s broader plan to build inclusive education for all and provide equal opportunities for boys and girls. That is when we started this programme to reward best-performing girls, to make them feel supported, encourage them work harder, and be role models for their peers.”
The First Lady noted that the same effort and support should be equally provided to boys because they also need to be accompanied and advised so that they can develop in knowledge, character, and behaviour.
Additionally, she warned the young girls that getting good grades is not enough, as they should choose subjects in line with where the world is going and the jobs needed in the market.
Dr. Janet Kayesu, one of the alumni of Inkubito z’Icyeza, a doctor at Nyagatare District Hospital, shared a testimony about her journey which started when she was awarded by the First Lady in 2012 after finishing primary school. She drew confidence from that moment that shaped her path of academic excellence where she was once again awarded in 2015 and received a scholarship that relieved her parents from the financial burden.
Kayesu attained her dreams of becoming a doctor and inspired young students to strive for excellence and achieve their dreams despite the challenges they may face.
Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), encouraged the young girls to develop adaptation skills that will enable them to live and thrive anywhere. However, she pointed out that adaptation does not mean taking in whatever one comes across, but discerning the right from wrong, and building a strong character.
Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, spoke during the 20th anniversary of the Girls’ Education Promotion Campaign in Kigali on May 24. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi.
Mushikiwabo added that girls should always remember to uphold their identity wherever they go.
With reference to different studies in the education sector that demonstrate the increase of girl child education over the years, Claudette Irere, the Minister of State for Education, commended Imbuto Foundation’s work that did not only open doors of opportunities for thousands of girls but also transformed mindsets, communities, and the nation at large.
She said: “You have nurtured excellence, encouraged resilience, and instilled confidence in young women who now stand as leaders, innovators, and change makers.”
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