NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Charles Murigande, has urged primary and secondary school teachers in the country to inculcate a sense of patriotism among pupils saying it’s a teacher’s duty to model youths into responsible citizens.

"The future of the youth lies in your hands, which is the reason why you should teach them to love their country,” said Murigande.

Addressing Gicumbi teachers at the district stadium on Thursday, the minister urged them to be innovative by engaging in other income generating activities like modern agriculture and livestock–farming by joining or forming cooperative societies.

"Government is committed to improving teachers’ welfare by increasing their salary, as the economy continues to grow,” he added.

At the meeting, Calixte Kayisire, from the Ministry of Education, urged teachers to put much emphasis on practical subjects to enable students to be more competitive on the job market.

"The current job market requires people who are equipped with practical skills, which is why you should put much emphasis on practical subjects,” said Kayisire. He advised teachers to maintain discipline and to be on the forefront in the struggle to stem Genocide ideology in schools.

Joseph Murekeraho, the chairperson of teachers’ savings and credit society  UMWALIMU SACCO, disclosed that the society  has the capacity to give loans to all teachers in the country, adding that those who receive loans should invest in income generating projects.

"UMWALIMU SACCO is all yours and you should utilise the bank to uplift your economic welfare,” he said.

Governor Aime Bosenibamwe, called upon teachers to uphold their professional ethics in order to deliver quality education, stressing that no country can attain economic development without education.

He further urged teachers to fight illiteracy and ignorance in society, by conducting adult education in their respective localities.

"Illiteracy and malnutrition in children should be fought by all means,” Bosenibamwe said.

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