District leaders, diocese clash over headmaster

EASTERN PROVINCE NYAGATARE — A row has erupted over the school head teacher of Nyarurema ETP, with the district authorities pushing for his sacking over ‘Genocide’ ideology, while Byumba Catholic Diocese claims the leaders ‘got it wrong.’ District leaders late last year in a closed meeting with diocese official in charge of education, Vincent Kalengera, reportedly ordered the Diocese to fire the school headmaster, Fr. Lucian Hakizimana, (pictured) and his management before the beginning of this academic year, but nothing has been done to the effect. District authorities also accuse Hakizimana of carrying out policies which are contrary to the national education policy, but sources say the Diocese bishop, Servien Nzakamwita, rejected the demand. However, a source from the district says they [district] plan to take serious measures against the school authorities with the backing of the district council. When contacted, Nzakamwita down played the matters, saying the Diocese is still working on the issue and was determined to sort out the matter amicably. The district could have got it wrong, that’s why we are investigating the issue but as of now we are working closely with district officials in a way to normalize working relations, Nzakamwita said by phone yesterday. He affirmed that Hakizimana was still heading the school as the Diocese tries to solve the matter amicably. Scores of students and local leaders in Gatuna sector, who talked to our reporter, also allege that Hakizimana promotes genocide ideology among his students and staff, but ‘in a disguised way,’ which the Diocese has refused to admit. ETP [Ecole Technique Parouise du Nyarurema] is a telecommunications and computer engineering school, built on religious background and partly funded by Byumba Catholic Diocese. The row comes a few days after Nyagatare sector authorities suspended the headmistress of Gakirage primary school, Alphonsine Musabyayezu, over allegations of genocide ideology.Ends