More than 73,000 teachers from nursery, primary, secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) from private and public institutions across the country are gathered at 132 sites in the 30 districts for civic education training, Itorero.

Dubbed ‘Indemyabigwi,’ the weeklong training opened Thursday under the theme, "Teacher’s role in building the Rwanda we need.’’

The Itorero was organised by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the National Itorero Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and Social Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Police and other stakeholders.

According to the Education ministry, the teachers will be trained on Rwandan cultural values and ethics that will reshape them anew and impact positively the way they teach to make sure they churn out culturally educated students, among others.

Briefing reporters on Thursday, the Education Ministry Permanent Secretary, Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, said since the last Itorero for teachers was held in 2008, teachers will present their achievements and also come up with new resolutions for the future in line with the country’s vision.

"Considering that teachers play a big role in the country’s development by training and educating children who will become future leaders, it is important they get enough time to meet and evaluate themselves,” Ntivuguruzwa said.

"They also need to learn new things that shape them to be more productive at work to make sure the country gets the graduates needed to achieve its goals.”

Ntivuguruzwa added that the teachers will be trained on how to properly teach Kinyarwanda as one of the recent national dialogue (Umushyikirano) resolution for more efforts to teach Kinyarwanda at all levels of education.

"Making sure that our children know how to speak and write their mother tongue is among the major transformations we want from this Itorero because it is the entry point for patriotism and acquiring other cultural values,” PS Ntivuguruzwa added.

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ITORERO: WHAT TEACHERS SAY

Heritier Rukaka, food production teacher from Kigali‘This training is an opportunity for us to assess how we are protecting the achievements made in education sector.

It is also an opportunity to learn from each other how to fit in the competence-based model of teaching to empower students with practical skills.’

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Anastasie Muhorakeye, Mathematics teacher at GS EPA Saint Michel‘We hope to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the education goals, how to deal with different hurdles we encounter in our profession to deliver quality education as required.’

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Ephrem Nkunzabo, Biology teacher at Lycee de Kigali‘I would like to learn from this Itorero the historical background of education system in Rwanda and later use what we leant to make positive changes and avoid a repeat of past mistakes.’

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Adelaide Dusabeyezu, head teacher at GS Apacope‘It’s important for people in the same profession to get an occasion to gather like this.

I think it will increase teachers’ commitment to deliver quality education with parental affection to make sure the country gets graduates with competences and Rwandan values.’

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Jean-Claude Uwiringiyimana, Social Studies teacher at Ecole Primaire Muhima‘I want to understand well the concept of Rwandan values and ethics of our culture to make sure we teach students from an informed point of view.’

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Marie-Chantal Mukagatore, headmaster of APE Rugunga Secondary School‘Nowadays the behaviour of youth is very critical. They don’t know Kinyarwanda; they are disobedient to parents and adults, among others.

With a generation like this, the future is at stake.

Therefore, we expect to learn from our trainers and from each other how teachers can help guide the youth in the right direction.’

editorial@newtimes.co.rw