The first group of 164 Zimbabwean teachers who made the final cut in their interviews are expected to arrive in Rwanda today, October 19, The New Times has learnt. The group, which consists of 80 female teachers, will land at the Kigali International Airport at exactly 9:45 pm, aboard a RwandAir chartered flight. Upon their arrival, the teachers will be accommodated, for the next two days, at La Palisse Hotel, located in Nyamata Sector of Bugesera District, a few miles from the capital. Also expected is a group of delegates from Zimbabwe, led by the Deputy Minister for Public Service Labor and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima. Speaking to The New Times in an exclusive interview, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Charles Karakye highlighted that the educators will undergo an induction exercise before their deployment on Saturday, October 22. “The Induction will be about briefing them about our culture, values and history to ensure that requisite information is imparted before their deployment,” Karakye said. He added that they will also tour the Kigali Genocide Memorial and also be briefed about the liberation journey. The group, officials say, is understood to kick-start a continuous process through which more professionals are expected to progressively benefit. The recruitment also follows an agreement reached between Rwanda and Zimbabwe for an exchange of education personnel. Initially, Rwanda was targeting 500 teachers as part of the efforts to bridge longstanding skills gaps and language barriers.
