Editor,

RE: "World Teachers’ Day: Valuing and improving teachers’ status” (The New Times, October 4). It’s an undeniable fact among right thinking members of a civilised society to argue that no reasonable institution or country all over the world can run without the hand of a teacher. The teachers act as the pivot for the transmission of intellectual traditions and technical skills from generation to generation and help to keep the lamp of civilisation burning.

The role of a teacher in society is both significant and valuable. It has far-reaching influence on the society they live in and no other personality can have an influence more profound than that of a teacher.

Imagine all professions you think about are birthed by teachers either from a local village or urban school. The world changes day by day and there is no doubt that the modern society is not the same with an ancient one.

The education system has changed completely; nowadays being a teacher does not mean only being a helper in the difficult process of getting education—it means being a creative and highly talented "guide”, which accompanies a student in all way of studying. To be able to prepare our young people to face the future with confidence, purpose and responsibility, the world needs to empower teachers.  

Education is necessary for politicians, businesses, artists, farmers, religious groups, students etc. for their respective career growth. Some of the great teachers were the cause of political and industrial revolutions around the world.

The role of a teacher is to shape the minds of the younger generation.  To positively shape young minds. Every country develops its system of education to express and promote its unique socio-cultural identity and also to meet the challenges of time.

As a lecturer at Mount Kenya’s University of Public Relations and Journalism, I would like to commend teachers in Rwanda for the great work you’re doing in this country. There is a huge improvement in the students we receive from A-Level.

Their English language proficiency has improved significantly.  

I believe that the future of education in Rwanda is bright and it’s the responsibility of all the teachers to work together as they shape generations and nurture the potential and dreams our children to impact the country in one way or another.

Henry Mapesa