Over 1,800 graduate at Kigali Institute of Education

Over 1,800 students yesterday graduated from Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) with a call from the Minister of Education, Dr Vincent Biruta, to execute their teaching duties with passion and with the virtues that characterise this profession. The graduates were also challenged to be agents of reconstructive change in society and to serve with humility and tolerance.. The New Times/ John Mbanda.

The Minister for Education, Dr Vincent Biruta, has urged field of education graduates to glorify the teaching profession because of its value to the society.

Dr Biruta, who was yesterday presidingover the graduation of more than 1,800 students at Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), challenged newly-churned out labour force to execute their teaching duties with passion and with the virtues that characterise this profession.

“As you have learnt through media, there are some teachers who misbehave and set bad example to their students, you must fulfill your duties as educators, who teach for the good future of the country, your conduct sets an example to your students,” Dr Biruta said.

Several incidences of unprofessional conducts of teachers have been brought to light by the media this yea, the most recent being of a teacher on the run after allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old at Nyamiyonga Secondary School in Nyagatare District.

KIE graduates who spoke to this paper expressed regret at the matter as they said during internship they witnessed some cases of teacher-misconduct.

“There should be a limit in relationships between teachers and students,” said Jean Bosco Nkunzimana, from the Department of Languages.

Deodatus Rubagumya, from the Literature department, referred to the psychological theory that a person has a certain behavior because of nature and environment, but debates focus on environment as a cause of behavioral change.

Rubangumya argued that despite training at university level, personal background dominates characters and influence ethical conduct.

The Rector of KIE, Prof. George Njoroge, called upon the graduates to be agents of reconstructive change in society and to serve with humility and tolerance.