Nyagatare schools link with UK counterparts

NYAGATARE - Several primary and secondary schools in Nyagatare district have partnered with their counterparts in the United Kingdom as part of strengthening education in the country.

Friday, June 18, 2010

NYAGATARE - Several primary and secondary schools in Nyagatare district have partnered with their counterparts in the United Kingdom as part of strengthening education in the country.

This was revealed on Thursday, by the district director of education, Martin Hitimana, while meeting head teachers from various schools in the district. 

Hitimana said that the partnership, initiated by the UK government through Department for International Development (DFID) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), is to help Rwandan children acquired basic quality education.

‘This is an important partnership that will facilitate Rwandan children acquire knowledge equal to their UK counterparts,’ he said.

He added that the new partnership will boost the students’ language skills. 

"This initiative will boost the government’s plan of using English as a medium of instruction in schools. Our students will access the knowledge from the English speaking counterparts from UK schools which will help them learn the language easily,” he said.

According to Hitimana, ten head teachers in the district were selected to tour different UK schools where they will exchange views and later on students will share knowledge provided to UK students.

Dorothy Nelson, a VSO volunteer and a trainer of basic educational methodology based in Kirehe district, Eastern Province, said similar partnership would be extended to other schools across the country.

"This initiative seeks to create a long run partnership between Rwandan and UK schools…we are doing this mainly to develop global education,” she said.

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