Biruta to prioritize quality education

The new Minister of Education, Dr Vincent Biruta, has promised to focus on the issue of quality education, an issue that has attracted much debate lately. Biruta made the pledge yesterday at the handover ceremony where he received tools of office from his predecessor, Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi. “If people are complaining about the quality of education, we should go ahead and work on improving it instead of thinking that they have a wrong perception about our policies,” said Biruta. Quality education has been a matter of public debate for some time now with employers, particularly, questioning the ability of graduates to compete on the regional job market. “We shall be conducting thorough inspections. Not those that stop at the gate, but deep inspections,” Biruta said. He called on the staff of the ministry to work as a team in order to bring forth the desired results. “Every department should be able to know what the other is doing and be willing to work together to achieve what we set out to do,” he said. In his remarks, Premier Habumuremyi, also talked about the quality of education, saying it needs more attention. “If the citizens want quality to improve, it’s because they have seen that there is a problem and we have to do it to their satisfaction.” He also pointed out other areas that need as much attention such as early childhood education, special needs education, and adult literacy. Biruta was appointed Education minister following the expiry of his term as Senate president. charles.kwizera@newtimes.co.rw

National

Biruta to prioritize quality education