The teachers awarded for their outstanding contribution to quality education in Western Province have cited love for their profession and being accountable as the secret to their success. They received their awards Friday as Rwanda joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Teachers’ Day, an event that at the provincial level was held in Rutsiro District. The day was celebrated under the theme; “a professional and competent teach is a foundation to quality education.” The awards include motorcycles, laptops, tablets and smartphones as well as the certificates. The awarding ceremony took place in Gihango Sector, Rutsiro District where a total of 800 teachers representing their colleagues, thronged to mark the day. One of the recognised teachers receiving his certificate. Bernard Bazimaziki, an entrepreneur teacher at at Ecole Sendaire de Muhororo in Ngororero district sits on his motocycle as he shows the documents to the audience.He was awarded at provincial level. Dr Irene Ndayambaje,Director of Rwanda Education Board handing over a helmet to Marie Providence Barigira, a teacher at Groupe Scolarie Cyato in Rusizi District. Bernard Bazimaziki, who teaches at Ecole Secondaire de Muhororo in Ngororero District, was awarded at the provincial level as the best teacher in terms of contributing towards the quality of education in the province. He attributed his success to the passion he has for the profession, saying this allows him to dedicate more time towards excelling in what he loves. Bazimaziki is an entrepreneurship teacher and all his students have started their own projects. He expects much from the motorcycle he received in terms of income. Teachers were happy to celebrate their day. Her colleague Marie Providence Barigira, a teacher at Groupe Scolaire Cyato in Rusizi District, was recognised as the best for Umwalimu SACCO and she expects that the motorcycle she received will help her in her movements. Teachers are optimistic the efforts that continue to be put in by government to improve their welfare will continue to pay off, further improving the quality of education imparted to the students. Dr Irene Ndayambaje, Director of Rwanda Education Board, pledges continuous support to improve teachers’ welfare and quality education. Berthe Mukamana, who spoke on behalf of teachers, thanked government for observing the day and giving the teacher due attention. “We are so happy for the day. We have many reasons for which to thank the Government. Some programmes such as Umwalimu SACCO have significantly contributed towards teachers’ welfare as well as quality education. There is a tremendous change in the life of a teacher today than ever before,” she said. Mukamana however cited some challenges such as lack of enough materials to implement the new Competency-Based Curriculum, remuneration for nursery teachers, lack of laboratories for TVET schools, and the issue of the little salary for teachers in general. Teachers dance as the celebrations. Teachers thank the government for the efforts to improve their welfare. Addressing the teachers, Dr Irene Ndayambaje, the Director General of Rwanda Education Board, pledged continuous support to improve teachers’ welfare and quality education. “Obviously, there is progress. Teachers have been benefiting from opportunities that are available for their self-sustainability. The journey to support teachers continues. All is to ensure quality education,” he said. He added that REB, with its partners, had started to solve the issue of shortage of books in schools by producing them locally instead of relying on suppliers who sourced them from outside the country. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
