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Science students lack kits and laboratories for practicals

Friday May 18 2018
science&kids

During a recent inspection to assess the quality of education across the country, some schools offering science subjects were found to be in serious needs for suitable equipment in chemistry, physics and biology. PHOTO | Cyril NDEGEYA.

Experts are advocating for study visits and tours for schools facing an acute shortage of science kits and laboratories to allow students, especially candidates, time to learn practical skills before national exams.

In the ongoing campaign to improve quality of education, schools offering science subjects were found to be in serious need of equipment for chemistry, physics and biology.

However, experts who talked to this paper advised schools that lack the equipment to collaborate with better equipped schools for easier access to laboratories, especially for senior six students who are examined practically at the end of the year.

According to Laetitia Nyinawamwiza, University of Rwanda Principal at the College of Agriculture, Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , organised systems could see schools learn from each other.

“I have been telling schools who are near our campus to come and make use of our laboratories,” said Dr Nyinawamwiza.

She added that schools should participate in regular career days to link science teachers for exchange of knowledge.

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On the other hand, some schools are in distant, remote locations, which means they are unable to form partnerships with nearby schools that are well-equipped.

Teaming up

According to Evariste Habiyaremye, a physics teacher at Groupe Scolaire Gitare in Burera district, teachers with poor science skills or those that need refresher courses have been teaming up with qualified teachers through science groups and clubs to support each other and it has been paying off.

“There are experiments, for example in physics, that do not require many lab equipment and the teacher can improvise with easily available items,” he said.

The current government policy on education has sought to use science and technology, critical thinking and positive values as the basis for better skilled human capital for the socio-economic development of the country.

The 2016 educational statistics year book shows that sciences lead other subjects in upper secondary school level.

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