Rwanda : MINEDUC, Northern Province Muslims pledge to AgDF

Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) employees and those from its various affiliations have pledged a sum of little over 198 Million Rwandan Francs to the recently launched Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF).

Speaking at an official function held yesterday to hand over the cheque, Education Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta said that the fund can only grow larger and more popular as Rwandans understand its importance and embrace the idea.

The total sum of Rwf 198,976,618 was raised by MINEDUC employees, in collaboration with those from affiliated institutions such as Rwanda Education Board (REB), UNESCO, Secondary Schools and Universities.

The cheque was received by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning Sayinzoga Kampeta, who was standing in for Finance Minister John Rwangombwa.

Permanent Secretary Sayinzoga articulated that the most important aspect of the pledge was not so much the money, but the spirit of patriotism which lead the employees to willingly donate the money.

She also pointed out that the sum would be much larger if contributions from teachers were also included. Teachers’ contributions were halted amid claims that they were being coerced into making pledges. Their contribution is nonetheless expected to be added to MINEDUC’s tab once proper sensitization is carried out to explain the virtues of the fund to the teachers.

The Muslim community in the Northern Province also on Sunday contributed 6,210,070 million Rwanda francs to the Agaciro Development Fund.

Contributions poured in from Muslims hailing from the 5 Districts making up the Northern Province of the country.

The Mufti of Rwanda Sheikh Abdul Karim Gahutu implored Rwandans to be patriotic and to continue supporting national programs including the AgDF, and also hastened to remind that contribution to the fund is voluntary.