COVID-19 dealt a big blow on Rwanda’s private universities

Learning institutions around the world have moved their classes online as they heed calls to combat Covid-19 spread, pushing students from home to study.

Now a combination of the change in the way lectures are delivered and the downturn in people’s incomes with some havening losing their jobs, the university dropout trend is widespread

Before the outbreak of Covid-19, Albert Murinzi, a 23-year-old third-year-old student at Kigali Independent University known as ULK ‘s French acronym, worked as a tech developer to support his education on an e-commerce platform.

Murinzi was laid off from work-his only source of income when the lockdown was declared in March.

“I have got at least two more semesters to graduate, but I don’t work anymore…I am honestly not sure if I will go back to school,” he said.

He says his numerous peers share that concern.

Murinzi now supports his mother in a small family shop alongside his four siblings which can not generate enough income for his schools and take care of other family needs.

Prince Gashaija, a 22-year-old final-year student at Mount Kenya University, used to pay for his tuition fees, as did Murinzi. He worked in a small business which he said was closed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“With the current situation when I am no longer working, I don’t think that I will go back to school in September,” he says.

Income has plunged for some parents, as companies slashed salaries in Covid-19 ‘s wake. Others have lost business and jobs, rendering them unable to meet the tuition demands of their children.

Peace Mirembe, a mother of two university students, was a teacher before school operations were halted by the coronavirus.

She stated thus; “I have two students at Mount Kenya University, and they were all paid for by the little money I earned from my job.”

According to the Director of INES-Ruhengeri, Bishop Sabien Hagenimana, there are early signs that student enrollment will dip significantly next semester.

“The biggest fear today is the fact that we (private institutions) expect to see a drop in attendance. The number of students dropping out is likely to increase,” he said, explaining; “The students’ financial situations have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”

That’s going to limit some students’ abilities to pay for university, he says.

Maurice Twahirwa, an education expert said; “It will not be a shock if this current global pandemic that has spurred an economic recession further catalyses a depression, making it even harder for parents to send their children to college.”

Twahirwa predicts that financial pressures will force “low-income students, international students and working students to drop out.”

In May, Rwanda eased lockdown measures for businesses but extended the closure of universities and schools until September.

“Private universities largely depend on the fees” Callixte Kabera, president of the private universities’ association said. “This largely shows that the future of universities is unwelcoming.”

Kabera, who is also the vice-chancellor of the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, said the dropout rate would vary from university to university. “Initial predictions show that my university will experience a 20 per cent dropout rate at the beginning of the year and we fear that the number may be higher in other universities,” he said.

According to Dr Rose Mukankomeje, Director General at the Higher Education Council (HEC), these concerns can only be addressed by respective universities, given that her institution focuses on ensuring the quality of education.