Expelled teachers demand package

NORTHERN PROVINCE BURERA — Teachers who lost their jobs recently for lack of required academic qualifications in the Burera district have appealed to the government to facililate the speedy disbursement of their retirement package. Primary teachers who were affected included those who held D4, D5, EMA (Ecole Moniteur Auxiliare) teaching grades and had never, completed senior six despite having attended teachers training courses. They have also demanded for their savings with the Teachers’ Savings Scheme-Umwalimu (SACCO), which they say could help them start income generating projects. The teachers were contributing Rwf3, 000, while others contributed Rwf.2,000, to the SACCO. “I have been teaching for the last ten years, I had taken a credit from the bank, I have to support my family. I appeal to the government to find a way to support us,’’ says Jacques Ngirabahizi, a former teacher at St. Scolarie Kayenzi. Over 100 primary teachers in Burera district and approximately 120 in Musanze lost their jobs following the new education policy, which was recently introduced in primary schools by the Ministry of Education. The primary teachers who claimed to be more experienced also demanded for support to continue with their studies. Ends