NORTHERN PROVINCE Musanze—Teachers in private schools have expressed disappointment over salaries and have threatened to strike if not increased.Others have abandoned teaching or shifted to public schools.In many parts of the world, private education is considered to be of higher quality.The current issue began when government increased teachers’ salaries. Those in private education demanded for increase from their schools in response.According to the Director of Lycee de Ruhengeri Justin Ndayambaje, the Rwanda Federation of Private Schools wrote to the Ministry of Education on September 4 asking permission to hike school fees in order to increase on teachers’ salaries. They also requested for a special consideration from the Ministry of Education as parents did not have the capacity to pay more money.It has been reported that the minister declined to allow for the increase in fees, saying that any decisions on the matter would wait until the next academic year. Different school authorities have held meetings together with parents to find ways of meeting teachers’ demands, but parents have reportedly failed to meet their pledge.Teachers of Lycee de Ruhengeri-APICUR have opted for a sit down strike this week until the administration board intervened. There are over 210 private schools in the country and many of these are said to be facing financial problems, especially those in rural communities. Ends
