RUTSIRO/KARONGI - A total of 1,575 students, on Thursday, completed a 3-week civic training programme (Itorero) in the districts of Rutsiro and Karongi in Western Province.

This is part of a countrywide exercise coordinated by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), where students who complete secondary education, undergo training as a way of nurturing the culture of nationalism.

The students were challenged to exhibit patriotism and encouraged to develop love for their country in order to positively contribute to the ongoing national development.
"Bearing in mind the lessons that you were taught in the past 3 weeks, you should endeavor to help even those who never attended to understand their role in national development,” Karongi District mayor, Bernard Kayumba told the students.

He urged them to desist from divisionism and embark on building a firm foundation for the future generation.

"Bad leadership based on ethnic divisionism led this country into a dark history and as future leaders, you should avoid going through the same again,” said.

Delphin Umurungi, an official from NURC challenged the students to promote cooperation and unity amongst themselves in order to put the future of the country into safe and responsible hands.

Most of the students who completed the training observed that such government programmes help to promote patriotism and love for country.

"By attending the training, I discovered more about the history of our country and my role and strategies to ensure that more development is achieved,” Alfred Nsabimana, one of the students said.

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