Recently, in a bid to strengthen the use of English language in teaching, the Ministry of Education organised a one-week trainers training in various parts of the country. Teachers from different parts of the country, far and near came for the training. “We are catching up, science teachers trained at centres like St. Andrew in Kigali while English seminars were held in centres like Efotek in Kanombe, TTC Rubengera, Cyogwe, TTC Gacuba 2, Essa Ruhengeri, Gakoni in Mutara, Kayonza Modern, Byumba and others,” said Mutamba Juliete, an enthusiastic English learner The workshops trained teachers of different levels; primary and secondary school teachers. It was of paramount importance since it is in line with preparing teachers, to embrace English as a language of instruction in all Rwandan schools. In addition, teachers need thorough training to acquint themselves with appropriate methodology. As a matter of necessity teachers need both practical and theoretical skills of teaching learners of ages. The workshop was led by Madame Dianne, who is in charge of ICT Teacher Service Commission and the trainees included teachers from California, tutors from Teacher Training Colleges and primary school teachers from Kigali city. The training however, revealed many challenges that include among other things; lack of materials to use, for instance notebooks, pens, and most importantly, relevant text books. “He had a number of issues to put forward. Teachers should be good role models. This can be done by exercising good behavioural and cultural morals in society. It is wrong for example for a teacher to spit anywhere, pick their noses in public it is not only unhygienic, but bad example from a teacher,” remarked Nidendereza William, the vice chairman of the National Itorero after witnessing the training. He continued to ask teachers as members of Itorero to be exemplary and disciplined, following all government programmes for instance family planning, fighting against AIDS, attending Ingando once called upon, and many others, but not engaging in unprofessional behaviour. Iterore is a Kinyarwanda word that may be literary translated as national civic education. Members of the Itorero present included Imbanzarugamba from Kicukiro district, Indengabaganizi of Gasabo, Abadahirwa of Rurindo, Abakeramurimo of Bugesera, Inyangakugoma of Musanze and others. Colonialists were castigated as the ones responsible for the unusual change of behaviour, as they turned people from their traditional way of doing things, by bringing their western culture. “Ingando was meant for people to gather and solve problems that had arisen in society and then find solutions to such problems. Last year we had Ingando because we wanted to find strategies of eradicating the genocide ideology. That’s why we had to send you to school such that it is plucked out of those students. The young ones learn from you,” Mudendereza told the teachers. “We want to transform the country. The National Itorero will organise one day and expose all sorts of wrongdoers, in a bid to transform our fading tradition and culture, before the worst comes to the worst,” he further remarked. shebs10@yahoo.com
