Kigali — The Director General in the education ministry, Erasme Rwanamiza, yesterday said that Rwandans should utilize the various government aided programmes aimed at fostering Early Childhood Development (ECD) - a sure way of raising productive citizens.

Citing the recently launched 9-Year Basic Education (9-YBE) program, the official explained that this is a chance for every child to acquire knowledge that will enable him or her contribute to the country's development in the near future.

"Under the 9-YBE, children become intellectually active. There are also other benefits that come from active participation in other activities that take place in schools, such as sports which make young ones physically and emotionally active thus increasing their aptitude in all aspects of life.

"Children, have special development needs, which if missed, may never perform to their maximum potential," Rwinamiza said.

The official also noted that it is imperative for children to feed well saying this was the very reason as to why government approved the milk distribution program that is set to begin soon in all schools.

"The school feeding initiative aims at ensuring that our children acquire the necessary body nutrients to grow into stronger adults. Discussions with major stakeholders such as World Food Programme, ADRA and the One UN family are underway sot kick of this arrangement soon," he added.

UN alone is set to contribute Rwf573 million ($ 1 million) to the milk distribution program.