Rwanda seeks Ugandan tutors

By George Kalisa

RWANDA'S education ministry urgently needs Ugandan teacher trainers. The tutors, according to Janvier Ismael Gasana, the acting director for primary and secondary education are required to partially fill the manpower gap in the sector.

Gasana said the demand for anglophone instructors in Rwanda’s Teacher Training Colleges has been prompted by the country’s recent decision to have English as the only medium of instruction in schools.

“The critical need for anglophone tutors who will train the primary teachers the majority of whom are francophone teachers was prompted by the cabinet decision to have English as the only medium of instruction in schools,” said the education director.

He was on Friday speaking to The New Vision in an interview at the ministry’s headquarters in Kacyiru.

Asked whether the Rwandan government would pay expatriate salaries to the tutors, Gasana said: “We are still consulting on that issue – an expatriate salary is too high and we normally offer it at the university level.”

He added that though the ministry was still scrutinising the budget, he was certain the tutors headed for greener pastures.

At least 50 Anglophone tutors are needed in Rwanda’s 10 Teacher Training Colleges that open on January 12 for the new academic year.

Asked whether the teachers would require work permits Gasana said they would either be exempted from paying for work permits or have the employer meet the cost for work permits. “We cannot let them bear the burden of work permits,” he said.

Gasana stressed that the Rwandan government will do everything possible to create a conducive working environment for the tutors.

Source:
The New Vision