Ntungamo is a neighboring district to Rwanda and is located in the western part of Uganda. Recently the Ntungamo Head Teachers and Principals Association paid a three days visit to Rwanda. Karara Felsta the District Educational Officer and also patron of this association told the NewTimes that the main purpose of their visit was, as he says. “This association wished to pay a visit to its neighboring country. We need to share different views especially the little we know about this country and also discuss what you have experienced particularly in the area of Education.” He added that they came as a group of thirty head teachers together with their wives and have already visited some schools in Rwanda like Mutara polytechnic university, Lycee de Kigali, Nyagatare secondary school and Gicumbi teachers training center. The chairperson of this association Musinguzi Moses told the NewTimes what they have learnt from the different schools in Rwanda and the country as a whole. “We came to this country with the purpose of seeing the school curriculum of Rwanda, how they prepare it and then compare it with ours. We also want to organise a training partnership for both Rwandan and Ugandan teachers.” he said. “We have been told Rwandans are so hard working that a department which is headed by one person in Rwanda is headed by five people in Uganda. This is a great challenge to us and I think we should learn this from you.” Though it is tiring, it is also time saving since only one person is involved in coordinating all the work. Karara says that the Rwandan programmes of studying both English and French languages is vital for the students. He says, in Uganda, French is just an optional subject and for this reason many you students take the subject lightly.This association also visited the Gisozi memorial site as Karara says. “We wanted to witness with our very own eyes what we have for so long been hearing over the radios and seeing on TV. Now we know exactly what happened and it’s really a pity.” Karara went on to thank the government of Rwanda for the great job it has done and achieved in uniting the people through mobilization and sensitisation. “We have learnt a lot from this country. People are now united especially for the places we have visited so far. Rwandans are now living in peace and we are going to teach the people about this especially the youth who should have a patriotic thinking. People should always learn how to love their country we should all know that whether one is a munyakore, a muganda or a mutoro we are all Ugandans” He further said, “Youth should learn to be kind, work together, help one another and avoid selfishness. When this is achieved, there will never be Genocide again.” Ends
