Editor,

Since my letter entitled "Mentoring will help Teachers and Inspectors” that appeared in Friday’s issue of The New Times, April 22, I have been asked by several teacher friends if there is a definitive definition of Teacher Mentoring.

The question has made me consult some literature about teacher mentoring. In so doing, I have found out that there is no classic definition of teacher mentoring.

For instance, Peterson (2007) asserts that there is no definitive definition of mentoring so far. He argues that it is a concept that can be interpreted depending on the purposes of teacher mentoring.

These purposes include teacher induction, orientation and professional development among others.

Therefore, I would conclude that though there may be other roles of teacher mentoring, principally, it plays a role in support and guidance to teachers.

Bonaventure Mujyeneza
Teacher Service Commission
mujeneza@yahoo.com