EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — The Mayor of Rwamagana District has accused about seven teachers in the district, of refusing to sing and teach the national anthem to pupils.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, at his office, Valens Ntezirembo warned that the teachers, teaching at different schools may be dismissed. 

"We are going to decide on their fate in a security and district’s consultative meeting,” he said.

By refusing to teach the national anthem, an act he described as ‘quite be shaming’ the Mayor wondered whether such teachers had love for the nation.

According to Ntezirembo, the teachers among them followers of the Jehovah’s Witness faith deliberately refused to sing the national anthem saying it praises more of other people instead of God. They were discovered after an investigation commissioned by the district.

"We wrote to them demanding an explanation as to why they can’t sing and or teach the national anthem to Rwandan students. Some have replied while others have not. The district is therefore, yet to take serious action against them,” he warned.

Daniel Karinganire, the district director of education, said the seven teachers have also influenced about 37 of their students not to sing the national anthem. He explained that four of the teachers have already written to the district  affirming that singing or teaching the national anthem contravenes their religious doctrines.

"I cannot teach the national anthem because some of its stanza over praises other people rather than God the creator,” reads part of the letter seen by The New Times, written by Janviere Bajeneza, a teacher at Gishari Primary School.  

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