EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — The State Minister for Education, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka has warned teachers in the country against promoting genocide ideology.

"I know you well because I have been with you while I was still governor. I have got new responsibilities of working closer with you to educate for Rwandans. We must educate with an objective, and the objective is to educate Rwandans with a purpose,” Mutsindashyaka said.

"The purpose is to mentor Rwandans as successors who will replace us when we get old to maintain the credibility of our country,” he added.

The minister, who was until recently the governor of Eastern Province, made the call last week while addressing Rwamagana primary teachers attending solidarity training at ASPEJ Muhazi. All teachers countrywide are attending similar training at different sites in the country.

Mutsindashyaka expressed optimism for a positive change among the teachers basing on his earlier experience with them.

He appealed to teachers to fulfill three major things which include completely weeding out the genocide ideology in schools and changing mentalities to embrace government programmes.

The minister challenged teachers to first drop genocide ideology by "vomiting it or swallowing it’ to avoid contaminating the young teachers. He stressed that the current government gives zero tolerance to genocide ideology.

The Minister added that as educators of society, teachers need to be role models who are admired by pupils and the community they live in.

"We are heading to a better future. Teachers will be among rich people because I do not like to work with poor people,” he said.

Valens Ntezirembo, the district Mayor, said Rwamagana teachers had formed a teachers’ cultural group christened Imkomezmihigo za Rwamagana, through which teachers would share experiences.

"With this formation of Itorero teachers give us hope for the future. Teachers have a lot to offer in development,” Ntezirembo said.

Saverina Uwimana, the headmistress of Espoir Primary School, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, said teachers were happy with the appointment of Mutsindashyaka in the Education Ministry.

Ends