Rwanda is seeking to recruit teachers of English from Zambia, whose educational standards have impressed the central African country, which has switched its official language from French to English.
This came to light when Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba met Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation Louise Mushikiwabo.
“We have realised that Zambia has had a very good educational system for many years, and in our search for teachers of the English language and other topics, we felt we could get those services from there, ” said the Rwandan Minister
She said after conducting research, Rwanda has identified Zambia as one of the countries where that country could source teachers of English, technical and vocational trades.
And minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has delivered a message from President Lungu to Rwandan President Paul Kagame here.
Mr Kalaba met President Kagame on Sunday night at Kigali Serena Hotel, where they had a closed-door meeting that lasted close to an hour.
The minister said President Kagame and his government want enhanced relations with Zambia in such areas as trade and foreign direct investment.
He said that during the meeting, Mr Kagame expressed interest in Zambian teachers who could teach English in Rwandan schools.
Mr Kalaba said President Kagame also talked about the need to maintain peace in the Great Lakes Region in order to increase trade for the benefit of the people.
To this effect, Rwanda will soon host a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) to discuss issues of trade, co-operation, peace and security and Zambia will attend as a member.
Mr Kalaba further said Rwanda would like to widen the canal from Lake Kivu to Mpulungu Harbour via Lake Tanganyika.
“President Kagame talked about the need to hold a JPC between the two countries to look at different areas of bilateral co-operation, peace and security. President Lungu is playing a pivotal role in the peace process in the Great Lakes Region, where Rwanda is a member,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Kalaba met with his Rwandan counterpart Louise Mushikiwabo and discussed several issues on peace and security, bilateral co-operation and trade, among others.
The minister noted after the meeting that Rwanda has shown so much potential for co-operation, as it has changed from being a Francophone country to an Anglophone one.
He said as a result, Zambia will consider an exchange programme for English and French teachers to work in either country.
“We acknowledge our trade potential between the two countries and we want to see that most of our products come into Rwanda. We want to see if we can have our companies coming into Kigali to set up their businesses,” Mr Kalaba said.
The minister said copper cathodes, sugar and cement are some of the products with good market in Rwanda.
Mr Kalaba also said there is need for Zambia to learn how Rwanda has excelled in land management.
He pointed out that out of a population of 12 million people, Rwanda has been able to issue 11 million title deeds, while Zambia has only 80,000 titled land with a population of about 14 million people.
Meanwhile, the two ministers indicated that their governments are working in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the issue of Rwandan refugees in Zambia. Speaking after the meeting, Ms Mushikiwabo also said the two countries are working on an extradition treaty for individuals who may be wanted by either country.
Mr Kalaba’s delegation includes first secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vincent Mwewa and acting surveyor general Francis Minango.
If only they pay me in dollars and the ministry of education should give me my pension contributions, then Rwanda here I come.
I pity Rwanda. Which English teacher from Zambia, when our own school leavers and graduates in law, journalism and teacher colleges can’t speak or write better Englishbthan their parents? Just look at the quality of reporting on this same platform of LT. The standards have gotten so deplorable that I can’t believe it’s the same mother Zambia in which I learnt to read and write! Doe as Kagame know that most our teachers now teach in Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, etc?
I am I going to get paid as an expatriate teacher? I will also need security because of the war I am sure crime is rampant.
Anyone who has not been in Rwanda recently would have reservations about going or working there as the first thing that comes to mind is the 1994 genocide and the violence and/or crime that one thinks may exist in the country because on that. However, the reality is that the country has made a remarkable recovery after the genocide and is indeed one of the safest countries in the region. You will not hear of any armed robbery or even white collar crime or corruption in Rwanda. It is one of the least bureaucratic countries in the world (hence able to attract significant FDI in recent years). You will also be surprised at how similar or cultures are..including languages. If the money is good, I would not hesitate to go a make a living in Rwanda as professional. Also very clean country!!
Anyone who has not been in Rwanda recently would have reservations about going or working there as the first thing that comes to mind is the 1994 genocide and the violence and/or crime that one thinks may exist in the country because on that. However, the reality is that the country has made a remarkable recovery after the genocide and is indeed one of the safest countries in the region. You will not hear of any armed robbery or even white collar crime or corruption in Rwanda. It is one of the least bureaucratic countries in the world (hence able to attract significant FDI in recent years). You will also be surprised at how similar or cultures are..including languages. If the money is good, I would not hesitate to go a make a living in Rwanda as professional. Also very clean country!!
Wow. Have u been to Rwanda?
Lusaka Times correct your Picture Heading High Commissioner Judith Kabijipanga is in Tanzania and not Rwanda.
I am sure she covers Tanzania, Rwanda and other countries in the Region, that is how it works
Give us contacts we apply.
And above all, Rwandese are handsome and beautiful, an overriding incentive.
There are no English teachers in Zambia, however there are teachers of English in Zambia
I remember when I was in Zambia and i heard someone say that- and i believed her. I see someone has been made to believe the same thing haha
‘Teacher of English’? really- There is no such a thing you numbskull.
English teacher is the correct term (whether they are black or their first language is not English).
You are trying too hard..You just be 21
Thanks
BB2014
We have a English Teachers in Zambia teaching in a number of schools like BIS in Kalundu and several others. But we do not have Zambian teachers who are English teachers.
@ CM and critico, so by your logic there are no science or history teachers in Zambia either, because what… science and history are not places? Great.
As used, English clearly refers to the English language not nationality and is therefore quite correct to talk about English teachers… or even Zambian English teachers if you wish.
What part of that don’t you get?
Next time, please find a better cause to blog about. And (pretty please!), do not apply a job teaching English in Rwanda. I’m sure they have enough problems already…
As a native speaker of the English language, who is also from England, I can confidently state that it is considered proper for someone who teaches English to be referred to as “an English teacher.”
You cant compare Rwanda to Zambia in terms of development.
You might think the genocide was in zambia not rwanda.
\Kaliyangile: That means that Kapijimpanga is also accredited to Rwanda as high commissioner.
Here is an opportuniy, young and disciplined Zambians, to go and serve in a well-run country. But no drunken stupors there. No chezera and such irresponsible stuff. You will be snuffed out.
I have been to Rwanda and Burundi. I wouldn’t mind going to work in Rwanda.Women are very polite and beautiful.There is a variety of beer. Only if they can pay in dollars,not emafranga as they call their money in Kirundi.
The mediocrity of some Zambians. Alcohol is a vice that has led Zambia to be at the tail end of Africa. Even war torn countries have surpassed it. Your comments make me want to cuss and insult you. Being a Christian I shall hold back for now!
Viva president Nawakwi.
Why should the government make special arrangements for you? Surely demanding to be paid in dollars makes you a less desirable candidate. Do you expect the Rwandan school system to have a special bank account for dollar transactions?
@Wanu Ngwee, speaking from the rear end.
Rwanda, it’s one of the countries to be in, a country coming out of war and surpassing all the development we have made in our so called 50yrs of freedom and peace. they will borrow our teachers and came 10yrs from now, they will not only have learnt english but they will be far better than us to the point that it will even seem as if it is them who have been English speakers from day one. thats the kind of mindset they have starting from the highest office of the country. while we continue politicking and spending our valuable time fighting Pilato and Associates
What you have said is true. Compare Botswana to Zambia now and you will see that the former is far ahead in almost everything. Yet Zambians were instrumental in Botswana’s educational system as teachers, lecturers, librarians, etc. Batswana are very serious about defending the resources of their country for the benefit of all. Zambians are good at plundering for the benefit of a few. This is the reason why countries like Rwanda and Botswana are marching forward Zambia is in reverse gear or at best standing still. Zambia is a wreck of a country.
Rwanda is doing amazing and love how they have recovered despite what they went through as a nation. Not sure why they are looking to Zambia to get teachers or maybe just being polite. I would propose and exchange since they speak also speak French. Zambia can get their teachers to come teach our students French while ours go teach English. Not sure what English level they will get from us though!
Comment:gud idea.now what ar qualifications? i jst graduated from university of zambia with ba.ed in ced and english.i av also workd for the moe in zambia for 10 years.can i qualify to be there.if so give me your contacts.