Minister calls for religious studies in school Curricula

Educationists have to blend religious studies into their school syllabuses if they want to produce holistic students. The call was made on Friday by the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Mathias Harebamungu, while opening the 2nd East and Central Africa Adventist Division Teachers conference at Gahogo Adventist Academy, Muhanga District, Southern Province. “A complete education is one that caters for the mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects of a human being; so when one of them is not covered then it’s incomplete,” the official said. According to Harebamungu, experience has shown that religion is crucial in imparting ethical and leadership aspects to students. “The usual school curricula backed by faith principles is a sure way of producing morally upright citizens,” he noted. According to Nathaniel M. Walemba, the Executive Secretary of the East and Central Africa Adventist division, the three day event that attracted more than 1000 delegates from 11 countries aims at identifying possible challenges and adequate solutions for regional teachers. He revealed that the delegates will also acquire skills on the relationship between teachers and students. “It is estimated that 70 percent of the people who make up this region are youth, so if you don’t give them well groomed mentors who are teachers, then you are jeopardising their future,” he said. Walemba observed that this serves to remind educationists that their job is a calling not just an ordinary form of employment. Hesron Byiringiro, the President of Rwanda Union Mission of Seventh Day Adventists, said that Rwanda’s selection as a host country of the convention was inspired by the quick recovery of its education system , especially after being ravaged by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He stated that the delegates would also be equipped with skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The delegates consisted of university lecturers, primary, and secondary school teachers.