150 Gicumbi teachers demoted over dubious qualifications

At least 156 primary and secondary school teachers in various schools in Gicumbi District have been demoted due to lack of qualifications, after an evaluation exercise carried out by the district’s education office. This was announced during a meeting held to assess the outcome of the 2011 teachers’ evaluation in the district. According to Julienne Uwamahoro, the officer in charge of education in the district, the affected teachers were found to be incompetent. Speaking at the same meeting, the State Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Mathias Harebamungu, explained that in a bid to promote technical skills in the country, the government, this year, wants 40 percent of secondary school students leaving the Ordinary Level to join Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Harebamungu explained 55 percent will join main stream education that include arts and science subjects, while five percent will join teacher training colleges. “We resolved that at least each school with 12-Year Basic Education programme in every sector should have infrastructure for vocational education,” said Harebamungu. He added that the government had designed attractive remuneration packages for technical and vocational education graduates. “We have set high salaries for the technical graduates serving in their disciplines, and hence this will entice more students in loving such courses,” he disclosed. The Minister also called on the district leaders to promote adult education in their respective communities. He also disclosed that over 94 percent will join secondary schools this year compared to previous years before the inception of 9 -Year Basic Education, adding that only 10 percent used to join high school in 1994. fred.ndoli@newtimes.co.rw

National

150 Gicumbi teachers demoted over dubious qualifications