KAMPALA - Over 600 teachers of English from Uganda and other regional countries yesterday thronged Rwanda’s High Commission in Kampala to be interviewed to teach in Rwanda. The teachers are expected to work with Rwandan primary and secondary school teachers.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Teacher Service Commission, Emmanuel Muvunyi who headed the delegation of interviewers from Rwanda, qualified trainers will be given one week of orientation before they are dispatched in various parts of the country.

"Next week we shall release the results of those who will have passed,” Muvunyi said. "The real training process will begin on November 22 and end on December 24 this year. This is a part-time job, it’s not a permanent contract as was reported in one of the Ugandan newspapers,” he said.

Muvunyi disclosed that since it’s the East African Common Market everybody has a right to teach and work in Rwanda as long as he or she is qualified.

"We will welcome anybody who wishes to teach in Rwanda because it’s a common market as long as he or she possesses pedagogical skills.”

Ken Franklin, a Briton from Voluntary Service Organization and retired professional teacher, stressed that it’s not the English speaking that is considered but the methodology applied.

"We are looking at different aspects like teaching experience, creativity, native English fluency and responsibility because it’s not every English speaking person that can as well teach it. We want people who can impart skills in English teaching to our teachers in Rwanda,” he said.

Dr James Vuningoma, the Academic vice Rector at Kigali Institute of Education, who is also among the interviewers, said the training will benefit the country as well as improve English speaking.

Lydia Mwangi, a professional English teacher from Kenya, said that teaching in Rwanda was one of her dreams as she expects to acquire more experience as well as learn other people’s culture.

Teachers are required to hold a minimum qualification of a Diploma or degree in education with specialization in English teaching as a language.

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