KIGALI - The Government is set to increase teachers’ salaries as a way of motivating them in order to ensure quality of education in Rwandan schools.

Quality education has, for long, been an issue and was discussed during the Leadership Retreat that ended Friday, last week.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande, said that his ministry is set to revisit policies concerning teachers’ welfare.

"There is need for the teachers to be motivated. It will help in improving quality,” said Murigande, adding that a de-motivated teacher cannot ensure quality.

"We are going to look into the possibility of increasing teachers’ salaries in the near future.”

Currently, a primary school teacher with the secondary school education level (A2) gets a take-home salary of Rwf39, 500; undergraduates (A1) earn Rwf98, 000 while degree holders with education training A0 earn Rwf113, 000.

Other measures to motivate teachers include building teachers’ living quarters at their respective schools.

"It becomes difficult for a teacher to find accommodation especially when they are sent to a distant school,” said the Minister, adding that building houses for them will motivate them.

The ministry is also considering putting loan waivers for teachers who stay longer in the profession as a technique persuade them to remain in the profession.

Teachers get loans from ‘Umwalimu SACCO.’ It is a Savings and Credit Cooperative for Rwandan teachers. It is mandated to empower the members towards uplifting of their social-economic welfare.

Speaking to The New Times, John Karangwa, a teacher at Remera catholic primary school welcomed the move.

"It is a smart move. There will never be quality when the teachers who are supposed to ensure it are not happy,” he said urging the Ministry to speed up the changes.

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