The Ministry of Education launches FresheriKuIshuricampaign to promote lifelong hygiene habits in schools

 

The Ministry of Education launches FresheriKuIshuricampaign to promote lifelong hygiene habits in schools

The Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at making cleanliness a permanent culture in schools rather than an occasional practice. Dubbed #FresheriKuIshuri, the campaign was officially launched simultaneously across all provinces and the City of Kigali, with Ministers, Directors General of affiliated institutions, and local government leaders leading activities nationwide.

The three-month campaign will run throughout the second school term, serving as a focused drive to reinforce hygiene practices in learning institutions. Education leaders emphasized, however, that while the campaign has a defined timeline, cleanliness in schools should continue as a daily habit well beyond the campaign period.

The initiative seeks to promote cleanliness as a core value within learning institutions, recognizing schools as critical spaces for shaping lifelong habits. With a significant proportion of the population spending much of their time in school environments, officials noted that consistent hygiene practices are essential for students’ health, dignity, and academic performance.

Cleanliness as a way of life

Speaking during the national launch, the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, highlighted that hygiene must be embedded into everyday school life and not treated as a one-time activity.

“Cleanliness must be a culture,” the Minister said, noting that schools offer an ideal environment for instilling lifelong hygiene habits, given the amount of time learners spend in these spaces.

He further highlighted that cleanliness contributes to students’ health, confidence, and ability to concentrate and learn effectively. The Minister called on parents and communities to work closely with schools by ensuring children arrive at school clean, well-presented, and ready to learn.

The Minister of Local Government launched the campaign in Western Province while the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion was in the Northern Province.

Dignified and healthy learning environments

At GS Dihiro in Bugesera District, the Minister of State for Education, Claudette Irere, echoed the same message while officially launching the campaign at the district level.

“Cleanliness is essential for effective learning and students’ wellbeing,” she said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean and orderly learning environments that allow students to study in dignity, health, and comfort, while preserving school infrastructure for future generations.

She noted that cleanliness goes beyond classrooms and school compounds to include personal hygiene, such as clean hair, shoes, uniforms, and inner garments. According to the Minister of State, these practices help prevent disease, promote self-respect, and encourage consideration for others.

Shared responsibility beyond the campaign

During launch activities across the country, leaders highlighted the strong link between hygiene, good health, and improved learning outcomes. Parents were urged to play an active role in reinforcing hygiene practices at home, ensuring children maintain personal cleanliness before arriving at school.

The campaign also includes ongoing monitoring and support to schools to ensure facilities are clean and well maintained, including toilets, classrooms, kitchens, and other essential spaces. To date, more than 350 schools have been inspected and guided under the initiative.

The #FresheriKuIshuri campaign promotes shared responsibility among students, teachers, parents, school leaders, and local authorities to keep learning environments clean, safe, and conducive to learning. 

While the campaign runs for three months, education leaders emphasized that cleanliness in schools should remain a lifelong habit, aligned with Rwanda’s broader public health and sanitation goals.