Thousands of students in private universities are in turmoil following the shuttering and suspension of institutions of higher learning variously for financial difficulties or poor standards.

Recently, the government suspended the Christian University of Rwanda, Indangaburezi College of Education and the University of Kibungo due to poor standards, while KIM University has closed doors due to the financial hardships.

As a result, the education of about 4,000 students has been thrown into a disarray as some cannot be absorbed in the available universities either because of space or incompatibility of courses.

“One of the challenges is to find the courses we have enrolled for. Some are not found locally or the places are full where you could get them,” said Viateur Murenzi, a third-year students’ representative from Indangaburezi College of Education told Rwanda Today.

Rose Mukankomeje, the executive director of Higher Learning Council said that the council is working with the affected universities to facilitate the students to find a placement.

“We are following up on the case of the affected students. We will do everything possible to ensure that they return to school like the colleagues,” said Mukankomeje.

The management of KIM University told Rwanda Today they shut down due to financial hardships that have been worsened during the pandemic, 'which pushed us to the edge," said Rachel Kayisengerwa, a director.

According to Kayisengerwa, the staff and the teachers have not receiving their monthly payment in a period of 10 months.

KIM has been acquired by the University of Kigali.

“We have reached the agreement of acquiring the KIM university infrastructures only,” said Prof. Gustave Tombola Masereri, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kigali.

Rwanda has about 30 universities and higher learning institutions, the majority being privately owned.