Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) has announced that it will be recognising this year’s best performing teachers in Rwanda, awarding them with laptops.

The development was announced by the institution on Tuesday, October 5 during celebrations of World Teachers’ Day.

The ceremony to mark the day took place at the Kigali Convention Centre and was attended by the Minister of Education, Dr Valentine Uwamariya among other guests who represented donor agencies and partners in the education sector including UNICEF, VVob, USAID, IEE, Akazi Kanoze Access, Bildungswerk, GR, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Dr John Nyiligira, MKUR’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of operations represented the university at the event.

According to the university, the awards are based on a framework that emphasises merit and due diligence.

"It recognises teachers for their work in shaping young people and their role in the development of the country,” read a statement from MKUR.

Speaking during the celebrations, Minister Uwamariya applauded teachers for their commitment and dedication even during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The government appreciates teachers for their dedication to offer quality training to the Rwandan public and will find more ways to ensure they are recognised and appreciated for their hard work,” she said.

In a letter to the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), MKUR Vice Chancellor designate, Prof Edwin Odhuno congratulated the institution for the good work in improving the quality of basic education and management of teachers, and pledged to donate laptops to the most hardworking teachers as part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

MKUR has been at the forefront of training teachers in Rwanda since its establishment in 2008. The University’s education programme is contributing to the country’s transformation agenda.

This is by generating a competitive labour force in the teaching profession to support the government’s vision of a country that will have moved from a predominantly agrarian economy to an industrial upper-middle-income nation by 2035.

MKUR offers Master’s, Postgraduate and Bachelor’s degrees in Education.