Authorities in the country chose to celebrate the World Teachers’ Day by rewarding the best performing teachers, which is believed to be the best way of encouraging competition in quality teaching.Having performing students, responding to the community programmes aimed at improving social welfare, being a member of Umwalimu Sacco, fighting violence against children, as well as experience were some of the criteria used by Rwanda Education Board (Reb) to reward the best teachers at district level.The World Teachers’ Day is marked every October 5.“On this date, states are recommended to look at challenges in quality teaching so as to ensure quality education,” said Emmanuel Rutayisire, the Reb director-general.“Rewarding the best is one of the ways of improving quality, because it encourages competition.”Celebrations were held at sector level, with every school choosing the best teacher. Other outstanding performers also received awards.In Gikondo Sector, Kicukiro District, Jean Marie Vianney Karangwa, a Science teacher from St Vincent Palotti, was given a cow worth Rwf500,000.He said: “I am happy to own my first cow from my profession of teaching, which is also my passion. The government really cares.”A graduate of Kigali Institute of Education, Karangwa, who has taught since 2009, said he lives with two principles; to be in the right place at the right time and to do the right thing at the right place.He has never been late for class in the last four years, and as a result, students pass his subject, Mathematics, quite well. Karangwa is also happy that the teachers’ situation is improving with Umwalimu Sacco, where one can be granted a loan of up to Rwf15 million payable in 15 years at an interest rate of only 11 per cent, which is the lowest compared to other local financial institutions.In Kamonyi District, Southern Province, Victoire Mujawamariya from G.S Jean Depaepe, emerged the best teacher and is waiting for a prize from Reb.It will consist of a laptop that will be given to each best teacher per district, according to Damien Ntaganzwa, the deputy director-general in charge of Teacher Development and Management. Ntaganzwa said the prizes will be given out soon.Mujwamariya said: “I am regular and I believe, I made it as far as inclusive education is concerned.”The mother of two said she teaches people living with disabilities, including the deaf and mute, the visually impaired, etc, which makes her work challenging.“Parents, students and even my children should celebrate this award with me,” Mujawamariya said.
