Teachers across the country have been urged to start fully implementing the new competency-based curriculum.

The call was made on Monday by the Minister for Education, Eugene Mutimura, who was inspecting the opening of the first school term for the new academic year at various schools in Kigali.

Primary and secondary schools as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres opened yesterday, countrywide.

Officials from the Ministry of Education visited various schools to assess the situation.

Speaking at Saint Ingace Primary School in Gasabo District, minister Mutimura said teachers should be well prepared to implement the new curriculum.

The curriculum, which covers pre-primary up to secondary level, was unveiled in 2015 and rolled out in schools in January 2016.

"We want schools to implement what we have discussed in various meetings, there is a curriculum which was launched a few years ago, teachers received training and should be in a good position to implement it,” he said.

"Teachers should prepare lessons, mark students work and offer practical skills. We committed, as leaders, at the ministerial level to go down and ensure that we follow up and see how this is implemented,” he added.

The minister visited Ecole Secondaire Bumbogo, Bumbogo Primary School, VTC Bumbogo, Saint Ignace Primary School, and Saint Ignatius Secondary School all located in Gasabo.

Mutimura said their tour aimed at assessing the implementation of various directives from the ministry and the challenges that schools face.

He warned head teachers against overcrowded classes, especially in P6 for students to be able to study well.

He said their assessment showed that the turnout of students was low on the opening day in some schools yet studies should start on the first day as per instructions.

The minister also cautioned schools on poor hygiene, saying the ministry would not tolerate such.

Schools express readiness

Some head teachers who spoke to The New Times expressed readiness to implement the new curriculum, saying teachers underwent adequate training on student centered training approach as per the new curriculum.

"We are ready to implement the new curriculum. What we need is sustainability, teachers are ready and we will keep training those who are yet to be at the same level as others,” said Jean de Dieu Kwizera, the head teacher of GS Saint Dominique Savio, located in Gasabo District.

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