Tom Mutembe, Executive Secretary of Rutsiro District is accused by TVET students and Directors over refraining money that was supposed to support the students from poor families affected by covid-19.
The fund was provided by World Bank through LODA (Local Administrative Development Agency) and was transferred in different districts, including Rutsiro district, in Western Province.
Initially, TVET Schools were encouraged to enroll students, buy equipment such as tailoring machines, for they were promised to get money within the following two weeks but in vain.
Schools started training on early 23rd August 2021, they bought all equipment on their own hoping to get refunded on 30th August, unfortunately, District Executive Secretary, who is also acting as the Mayor of the District has promised unrealistic rendez –vous of payment.
Two accredited Schools in the District, who signed an agreement with Rutsiro District, have also subcontracted other Schools to cover a large scale of sectors.
One of them, who requested for anonymity, said “We have several times asked the District to pay us the promised MoU signed fund, but they chose to make empty promises. We have invested much money in buying equipment, paying teachers/trainers on our own hoping to get refunded by the District as per the contract, but the District keeps lying us, regardless of the effects and consequences that teachers, students and school directors are experiencing”
The students were supposed to graduate on 30th 0ctober 2021, some of them have already dropped out the School due to lack of capacity of the School they were enrolled in.
Students were supposed to graduate with certificate of qualification and toolkits such as tailoring machines, welding kits…, depending on their options.
Trainees’ grievances
Charlotte Nyiransengiyumva, one of the beneficiaries of the project expressed her grievance as what she considered as her dreams were not realized.
“When I was selected among the trainees in tailoring option I thought I was about to achieve my dreams until they told us to go back home since there were no toolkits. I have now resumed my daily activities of farming, while I thought tailoring career could totally change my life, financially” She said regretting that she has started forgetting what she learnt due to lack of practice.
The selected youth to acquire these failed trainings are from poor families, in first and second categories respectively.
Gaspard Bijyiyobyenda, priest administrator of Kinunu parish, a school that was conducting the training under subcontract told Purenews.rw that they could not continue the training since the promised fund was not provided.
“We could not continue, our contractors did not comply with the contract but we hope to resume as long as they provide us toolkits. We have managed to pay our teachers in order to protect our image” He said adding that students will not too much lose because they were selected while at their homes.
We have tried several method of communication to get our story balanced from the Executive Secretary of Rutsiro, but in vain.
LODA admits to have transferred 60.000USD to Rutsiro District as well as other district in which this project is supposed to be implemented, but, according to this body, some district may be quick, others reluctant in procurement process when it comes to projects implantation.
By Muhire Désiré
