The event featured an exclusive address by the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengiyumva, who emphasized accountability, professionalism, and the role of teachers in shaping national development.

“A teacher must be the first to value themselves. Once they do, others will respect them,” said Minister Nsengiyumva. “This profession requires commitment and accountability.”

The Minister called on educators to take greater ownership of their responsibilities, asserting that government support must be matched by personal initiative. He noted that while the nation recognizes the importance of teachers, this does not imply shielding them from scrutiny.

“We must appreciate what teachers do but also work together to correct what’s not going well,” he added.

Minister Nsengiyumva firmly discouraged corporal punishment in schools, calling instead for constructive, child-centered disciplinary methods.

“Beating does not raise a child. We must guide and correct students in ways that nurture them.”

The Minister also addressed the policy on probation and promotions. New teachers, he said, undergo a nine-month probation period, after which their performance is evaluated before confirmation. Promotions come after three years of consistent service and demonstrable results.

“Three years is a fair period to allow a teacher to make an impact without disrupting student learning,” he explained.

Touching on the teacher transfer process, Minister Nsengiyumva revealed that 272 teachers had applied for transfers during the latest cycle, but only 78 had been placed in new schools, while 48 others expressed a desire to leave their current posts. The figures, he noted, highlight the ongoing need for strategic workforce planning in education.

The Minister concluded by reaffirming the importance of teacher engagement in the country’s broader education goals:

“We are building systems, yes but success lies in every actor taking responsibility: teachers, students, school leaders, and parents.”