EASTERN PROVINCE

Nyagatare — A delegation of 38 head teachers from Uganda, in the district of Ntungamo, began a study tour to Nyagatare as a way to forge good relations and academic cooperation between the two countries.

The district director for education Silvestre Mutabaruka, in company with other district officials, welcomed the delegation at Kagtumba border after which they toured Nyagatare offices and also visited the district’s model school Nyagatare SS.

Head of delegation Mr. Festus Karara said that the visit was a symbiotic relationship, which would help Ntungamo head teachers and Rwandans learn from each other.

"Our mission is not all about a study tour, but a visit to forge a symbiotic existence between Ntungamo and Nyagatare districts and the whole country.

Head teachers from Ntungamo can learn a lot from Rwanda and even Rwanda can also [learn] from Uganda.”

He also said head teachers would tour Kigali schools and share ideas which would help both parties benefit from each other and create a brotherhood between Ntungamo and Nyagatare in Rwanda.

"There’s a world of difference between our educational systems,” Karara said.

"You find that in Uganda there are very many officers at the district level, which may allow duplication of work, but in Rwanda there’s only a director of education, which is well arranged.”

The Ugandan delegates took part in the plantation of trees at Nyagatare SS campus as a sign of supporting the Rwandan government policy to protect the environment.

Nyagatare district director Sylivestre Mutabaruka said that the visit of Ntungamo district to Rwanda was a sign of deepening Rwanda–Uganda relations.

He added that Nyagatare head teachers were planning to pay a visit to Ntungamo district before the year was out to continue good relations.

Ends