NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The district has suspended a total of 128 primary and secondary school teachers in Gucumbi for missing itorero. Itorero is civic education training. Meeting the affected teachers yesterday, the Mayor Bonane Nyangezi said the suspension takes immediate effect.

Their final fate, he said, would be decided by the district advisory council.

The decision to suspend the teachers was reportedly reached at a recent meeting of district leaders.

The Mayor explained those teachers who had genuine reasons for not attending the training would be forgiven.

"These include those who were seriously sick or out of the country on official duty and whose excuse was communicated to relevant authorities prior to the beginning of itorero," said Mayor Nyangezi.

During the meeting, each of the affected teachers drawn from various schools was given time to explain reasons for their failure to attend the three-week training. The majority gave ill health for missing out in the event, while others said they were attending to domestic problems like sick children and expectant mothers.

"It is sabotage of government programmes of attaining unity of Rwandans and development goals for those teachers who deliberately refused to attend itorero," the mayor stressed.

Also present was the RDF 408 Brigade commander Brig. Gen Eric Murokore, the district director of education Julienne Uwamahoro and the District Police Commander Superintendent Albert Ndatsikira among others.

Ends