Teachers from Gatsibo district through the national teachers’ umbrella association (Itorero ryigihugu), elected their representatives at the District Headquarters.

According to the association’s President elect Ezra Rudaseswa, this was in a bid to uplift the face of the education profession in Rwanda through enhancing coordination, effective representation and accountability.

The elected leaders are to represent the teachers from Gastibo district at all levels, to speed up educational programs and innovations by trickling them down to the lower level.

This was done partly in response to a requirement by the State Minister of Primary and Secondary education Theoneste Mutsindashaka in his previous meeting with the teachers’ association.

"We concurred with the Minister’s proposition because we found having representatives at all levels to be an organized move towards achieving our goals and aspirations. That’s why we were swift in implementing it,” said Rudaseswa.

"This will ease representation because our ideas, interests and concerns will be channeled properly up to the ministry. It will also step up accountability,” added Rudaseswa.

A total of six representatives were elected, 3 for secondary schools and 3 for primary schools. Dativa Nyirakamana was elected treasurer.

Through this committee of representatives, the teachers are optimistic that all the ongoing programs aimed at uplifting education in Rwanda, like ICT integration, will reach the intended groups.

Other programs like HIV/AIDS prevention will also be channeled through those leaders, for easy accountability and effectiveness.

"The already existing teachers’ cooperatives and others coming up, will equally succeed through this leadership setting,” added Rudaseswa.

All districts were urged to undertake this step as quickly as possible, if they are to benefit from the educational programs.

Ends