Rwanda National Police

Police have urged transporters to facilitate students who are going back to school since Friday.

The Ministry of Education released a directory for third term school curriculum, which starts Monday, August 5.

Friday was reserved for students going to schools of Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyanza, Huye, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and the City of Kigali.

Saturday is for students going to schools in Ruhango, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu.

All students going to schools in Eastern and Northern provinces will depart Sunday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Marie Ndushabandi, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department appealed to transporters to facilitate the students to arrive at their respective schools early.

"These students will be in bus terminals, trading centres or along roads waiting for vehicles to take them to school. We urge drivers and motorcyclists to facilitate them, give them priority to get to school in time. There are specific hours when they are expected at school because of their safety," SSP Ndushabandi said.

He also reminded students to dress in school uniform for their "safety and easy recognition by drivers."

"This doesn't mean that motorists have to violate road safety standards; these increased movements actually require extra care, not using this increase of passengers as an opportunity to speed to make many routes or to over-load; don't use a phone when driving or riding a motorcycle," he advised.

He further urged passengers to refuse any bad driving or violation of traffic rules and regulations, which put their lives in danger.

SSP Ndushabandi also appealed to parents, guardians and heads of schools to establish effective communication to ensure that students arrived safely at their respective schools.