MINEDUC Launches ‘Fresheri ku Ishuri’ Campaign to Promote Cleanliness in Schools

Kigali, January 12, 2026 - Rwanda’s Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has launched a nationwide campaign dubbed “Fresheri ku Ishuri” aimed at promoting hygiene and cleanliness among students, both at home and in school environments. The initiative was rolled out across various educational institutions on January 12, 2026, with the national launch held at GS Karembure in Kigali. The campaign will run throughout the current academic semester and targets all schools nationwide. Speaking at the launch, Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana said the program seeks to instill a culture of cleanliness at an early age, given the large proportion of Rwandans enrolled in school. “One third of Rwandans are in school. It is therefore necessary to have a special hygiene program related to schools so that cleanliness becomes a long-standing culture among all Rwandans,” he said. “We deliberately chose to start with this semester so that students, school leaders, teachers, and parents can all take part.” Minister Nsengimana emphasized the critical role of parents in ensuring children maintain good hygiene, noting that a child’s day begins at home. “When a child leaves home, parents must first ensure the child has bathed, is well-groomed, and is wearing clean, intact clothes before going to school,” he said. “Their role is essential because we cannot succeed without their support.” He also stressed that a clean and orderly school environment contributes positively to learning, adding that parents should ensure school uniforms are clean and repaired when necessary. Meanwhile, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolée Uwimana, speaking from Notre Dame de Fatima School Center in Musanze, said the campaign will help children develop habits that will shape both their future families and communities. “When children become familiar with good practices, they internalize them,” she said. “Our country still faces challenges that threaten family well-being, including poor hygiene in the places where we live, study, and work. Starting with children in schools is the best way to build a lasting culture of cleanliness.” As part of the campaign launch, trees were also planted in several schools to promote clean air and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the broader public health goals of the initiative.