In the
article “The Issue – Rwandan schools bear the weight of history: news”
published in TES Global Limited,
author Jackson Twagirayezu describes how teaching at schools in Rwanda about
the genocide is still difficult, but it’s on the right path. During the genocide 800,000 citizens died in
just three months. In present day
Rwanda, this issue is faced every day for teachers to teach to kids or not
to. The author’s family was exiled from
Rwanda before the genocide even happened.
When the Rwandan Patriotic Force arose to power his family then was
required to come home. 80 percent of his relatives were killed. Teachers in Rwanda
including the author struggle to teach this because they really have no explanation
for it. “For this reason, the genocide
was for a long time not officially taught in Rwandan primary schools.” Students did not even study the genocide
growing up. In 2007 a debate took place
to decide whether or not to teach the genocide to the kids. Teachers still today are very cautious about
the topic, because they can’t go to deep into the information about the
genocide. Teachers do teach about Rwandans independence in 1994, and pre-colonial
period. They only recommend for students
aged from 11-14 to go to see the genocide memorial centers once a year. In secondary schools they do teach more about
the genocide but it’s still considered a shaky topic. April 7th is where Rwanda commemorates
the genocide. “These events promote
utility and reconciliation, and new testimonies about the genocide, so that we
can understand with greater clarity how it was made possible.” Teaching the
genocide is improving in Rwanda, they now directly address issues. Overall for
Rwanda learning about the genocide is important for their future.
I was completely
shocked when heard that Rwanda didn’t even teach the genocide in schools for a
long time. I can’t imagine how difficult
it is to be a teacher in Rwanda. You
have to be careful of what you say. The
good thing is that it’s getting better. Schools are mentioning the genocide
more, it’s slowing improving. In the U.S
growing up, one thing schools didn’t to a great job teaching us was about what
we did to the Native Americans. To be
honest a government of a country probably has its reasons for not teaching certain
subjects. In the end though, they
eventually start teaching the subjects.
People can learn a lot about the Rwandan genocide once they start fully
teaching it in schools. Overall it only
can get better for Rwandan schools.
