Quality education is a priority - Makuza

KIGALI - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has urged the heat teachers of Primary and Secondary School to be at the forefront of promoting quality education in their respective schools. He made the call, yesterday, while speaking at a retreat that brought together all the Head teachers of Primary and Secondary Schools countrywide. “You should always be aware that the education our students get from your schools will shape them to be the responsible Rwandans of tomorrow,” he said. The theme of the retreat was; “School Management for quality education”. Makuza commended the teachers for the tireless efforts to enhance quality of education in schools. He called upon them to use the retreat as an opportunity to share ideas and experiences as well as address the challenges they face. “Our country has taken great strides in promoting education for all and this has resulted into more enrolment of Rwandan children in schools,” the Premier noted. Makuza stressed that the government is committed to enhancing quality education in all schools. He urged the teachers to embrace the use of ICT in schools so that students get access to computers and learn how to research. The Minister of Education, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, said that quality education is his ministry’s focus. “Over 95 percent of Rwandan children have enrolled in schools and we are aiming at having all children in school,” he said. Habumuremyi noted that teachers contribute to the moral, social, and intellectual growth of the students so they need to always come together and share ideas. He acknowledged that although teachers are being empowered to promote quality education, there is a need to address the challenges of delayed salaries for teachers and inadequate classrooms in some schools. The Minister said that the confidence reposed in a teacher by society and their students must not be abused but used to transform the lives of the children under their care. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Edward Hakizumwami, Head teacher of Groupe Scolaire Kayanza in Nyanza District, Southern Province, said that the meeting will enable him share experiences with his colleagues. “I am committed to teach our students the common value of education where they will be responsible future citizens, “he said. He called upon the government to extend electricity to all schools as one of the ways and means to promote quality education. Ends