I was delighted when I read an article in The New Times dated January 11 that pointed out plans to teach peace and reconciliation studies at university level in Rwanda.

The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) will work with Permanent Education for Peace and Reconciliation (EPPR) to implement the programme. The curriculum is expected to take route this and year and officially begin next year. There are also plans to have an exchange programme with the Eastern University from the USA for post-graduate courses. The good news also is that a reconciliation centre will be established in Kigali.

Now that the programme is at the universities, I suggest that they divise means of how to introduce it in the secondary school’s curriculum. The programme is indeed timely because Rwanda can confidently say is fighting the genocide ideology.

I commend this programme, with its components of peace and justice lessons which will greatly help in changing the mindsets of many Rwandans who have for so long been mentally brainwashed with ethnic divisionism. The teachings from the centre will make people learn a lesson from the past and aim at working for a better future.

If this programme is successful, then in the near future, Rwandans will realise that they are one people and therefore no need to kill their own brothers.

NYENYERI