The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jean Marie Vianney Ndayizigiye, has called on students across the country particularly those in Huye District to promote hygiene as a permanent culture. He emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness of the body, in schools, at home, and everywhere else.
He made these remarks while joining students and teachers at G.S. Cyarwa School, located in Tumba Sector of Huye District, during a hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign dubbed “Fresheri ku Ishuri” (Freshness at School), which aims to promote hygiene in schools.
The official stressed that hygiene should not be viewed as a short-term activity, but rather as a lasting culture that begins with each child individually. “I would like hygiene to become part of our daily lives. Every student should make it their own and promote it at school, at home, and wherever they go, because hygiene is the foundation of good health.” He spoke.
The Fresheri ku Ishuri campaign was attended by many students and teachers, during which students reported gaining valuable knowledge about the importance of hygiene and practical ways to maintain it in their daily lives.
Bertin Niyigena, a sixth-year secondary school student at G.S. Cyarwa, said the campaign had been very beneficial. “We used to pay some attention to hygiene, but there were things we were not doing properly. Now we have committed ourselves to strengthening it and making it a culture. Wherever I go, I will tell others that hygiene is more important than anything else.” He said.
One parent with children at the school, Madam Jeanne Mukamana, said families will intensify hygiene awareness at home. “A child’s hygiene starts at home. We are going to be more vigilant with our children before they go to school and teach them hygiene at home so that what they learn at school continues within the family.” She shared.
Teachers and school administrators were encouraged to integrate hygiene into daily routines and to serve as role models for students. The head teacher of G.S. Cyarwa stated that the school has committed to monitoring hygiene on a daily basis.
“We are going to include hygiene in our daily school programs, closely monitor students and teachers, and put measures in place to ensure hygiene becomes a standard practice rather than something remembered only during awareness campaigns.” He said.
On behalf of teachers, one educator noted that they will further promote hygiene through their own behavior. “A teacher is a role model. We have decided to start with ourselves so that students can learn from us, because children learn more from what they see than from what they are told.” he said.
The Ministry of Health reminded the public that under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), Rwanda has set a target of achieving 100 percent hygiene and sanitation coverage by 2029. The participation of students, parents, and schools is therefore critical to achieving this goal.
Ange Sebutege, the mayor of Huye District, urged students to embrace hygiene as a source of good health. “Hygiene is the foundation of good health and development. A clean student thinks clearly, studies better, and will become a responsible citizen of the future.” Said Ange.
The Fresheri ku Ishuri campaign continues to be implemented in various schools across Huye District under the theme “Hygiene Everywhere Starts with Me,” with the goal of encouraging everyone to play a role in promoting hygiene and sanitation.
