NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — At least eight teachers out of the 24 members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith group in Musanze district have apologised to the district explaining why they missed the recently conducted solidarity training.

In their letters of apology, the teachers claim they mistook the course for military training. The district says will pardon those who apologise. But others are still defiant claiming that it would affect their faith.

Edward Ruzindana a physics teacher, one of those who did not attend the training on grounds of faith says he will not stop teaching until he gets an official letter sacking him. But still believes he had an obligation to protect his faith.

The district had given all the teachers who missed Ingando up to April 28 within which to make written apologies.

"I have seen what my colleagues studied, the lessons were good and developmental but my faith did not allow me to engage in such a group,’’ Ruzindana said. He however, kept giving contradicting reasons for his failure.

Those who apologised quoted from the Bible in 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18 which says that "do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it can not be done, how can right and wrong be partners, how can light and darkness be together.’’

Fidel Ndayisaba, the district director of education called upon teachers to consider changes in the developing world as inevitable or risk being left out.

He cautioned that lack of confidence among teachers may affect students and damage the sense of creativity expected of teachers.

State minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Theonest Mutsindasyha had earlier warned that teachers who missed the training without justifiable reasons would be dismissed.

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