The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has launched a follow-up into the permanent dismissal from school of a student at Inyange Girls School of Sciences in Rulindo District, amid concerns that the disciplinary decision may have violated existing education regulations.
The deputy director general of REB, Dr Flora Mutezigaju, confirmed that the case involves a Senior Two student who was permanently dismissed from school after allegedly pouring water on school property and fellow students.
Inyange Girls School of Sciences, located in Rusiga Sector of Rulindo District, issued a letter dated January 29, 2026, formally communicating the student’s permanent dismissal from school. The decision was reportedly based on misconduct involving the spilling of water on students’ belongings.
However, Rulindo District authorities indicated that while the act constituted indiscipline, it did not warrant permanent dismissal from school, noting that the offence had already been sanctioned.
“Those students committed an act of indiscipline by pouring water on their classmates while they were asleep. Such behaviour is punishable under the students’ code of conduct approved by parents,” district officials said. “Disciplinary action must be proportional to the offence, whether it is a first-time incident or a repeated violation.”
Speaking to KT Radio, Dr Mutezigaju stressed that disciplinary decisions in schools must strictly comply with the statutory framework governing the education sector.
“There is a specific statute that regulates discipline in education institutions and clearly outlines the circumstances under which a student may face permanent dismissal from school, or when a teacher or education staff member may be dismissed,” she said. “School administrators and parents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these provisions. Spilling water is not among the offences that justify permanent dismissal from school.”
She added that REB’s immediate focus is to facilitate dialogue between the school and the student’s parents to safeguard the learner’s right to education.
“Our priority is to engage both the school that took the decision and the parents, to understand the rationale behind the punishment and how it is perceived by the family,” Dr Mutezigaju said. “This process aims to promote dialogue and ensure that the child does not suffer long-term consequences from a disciplinary decision.”
