The factual results from the 2002 population and housing census indicate that 40 percent of the 8,12 million Rwandans are illiterate.
Presenting the 118 pages report on synthesis of the analyses of the 2002 census of Rwanda to government and NGO participants, Damien Mugabo, the National Coordinator of the third Census of Population and Housing, disclosed that the exercise of compiling and analysing the 2002 population and housing census data, which started last year, finally comes out with the actual presentation about illiteracy in the country.
According to the census results, the level of illiteracy at the national level was worse among Rwandans aged above 40. Discrepancies by sex are 24,6 percent among females and 16,7 percent among the males. This indicates both the historical creation of schools as well as the present distribution of educational establishments in the country.
– In the 2002 population and housing census, the province with the highest illiteracy rate is Gikongoro with 37,4 percent out of 489.729 residents, while Kigali city has the lowest rate with 14,4 percent out of 603.049 people,” Mugabo said.
Nevertheless, in all the provinces, a higher proportion of more than 41 percent out of 3,3 million illiterate females was recorded in Gisenyi and Gikongoro provinces respectively. Generally, the 2002 census results indicate that more females than males in all provinces never attend the schools.
Opening a three-day seminar to disseminate information on the third general 2002 population and housing census in Rwanda, the State Minister in charge of Economic Planning, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, said that the final results of the 2002 census would help the government to deal with the problem of illiteracy by providing necessary education programmes to specific parts and residents in the country.
Nsanzabaganwa said: – The factual population and housing census is one that helps government in planning for public development. The 1994 tragedy (folkemordet) jumbled development plans based on the previous census and there was need for a fresh one to streamline the governments vision 2020 programme.
– Rwanda, as member of NEPAD committed to formulate and implement illiteracy and poverty eradication campaigns at grass root levels, has to have the actual figure of the total population to base on for the government to plan for its citizens. It is from the 2002 census results the government was able to start a literacy crusade based on the rate of illiteracy and education establishments in provinces, she said.
The UNFPA representative to Rwanda, Dr. Pierre Severyns said: – The actual study of the Rwandan population including social problems affecting the society, is a basic tool for the government to enhance its prepared programmes and achieve the UN millennium development goals.
– The census results indicate that the Rwandan population is increasing at a high rate of 2,6 percent per year, hence the need for proficient measures in planning and implementing public utilities to the society depending on substance agriculture, he noted.
Kilde: The Push Journal
