RWAMAGANA/GICUMBI - Several schools in Rwamagana and Gicumbi districts marked the World Teachers’ Day on Monday.

Teachers who were interviewed by The New Times said that the day ought to have been designated as a holiday.

The head teacher of ST. Aloys Secondary School, Brother Camille Rudasingwa, said the day needs to be honoured. 
"We were at first told it would be a holiday, but later on an official announcement had it otherwise.

In the future there should be a clear indication that the day is honoured, so that we don’t remain in suspense,” he said. 

Alex Gashagazi, a teacher at the same school criticised education officials for not declaring a holiday on the Teacher’s Day.

"This is a day that teachers should be given as a holiday, to meet and talk about the nature of their work. It is a noble job! But look, there is no sign of a holiday,” said Gashagazi. 

Another teacher, Marie Gorette, also said the day should be honoured because it gives value to teachers. 

"Parents, teachers and other stake holders should have joined together to celebrate the day. It is in recognition of the teachers’ role that needs to be recognized,” she said. 

Meanwhile, in Gicumbi District, the Mayor, Bonane Nyangezi urged primary and secondary school teachers to utilise time optimally, in order to cover the subject syllabus.

"The present competitive world requires us to manage our time properly, through participating in income generating ventures alongside providing education to our youth,” he told teachers gathered at Inyange Primary School in Byumba Sector.

Teachers, he added, need to acquire loans from financial institutions such as UMWALIMU SACCO, to invest in modern agriculture and livestock farming.  

In a separate interview with The New Times, the district director of education, Deogratius Mwanafuzi, disclosed that two outstanding teachers in the district were selected to be recognised for their dedication to work.

According to Mwanafuzi, the outstanding teachers included Pierre Damien from SOS Children village and Jean Leonard Bigirimana from Groupe Scolaire Notre Dame Du Bon Conseil. 

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