REB Teachers: 25 Professional Mistakes Leading to Dismissal or Removal
Navigating the teaching profession in Rwanda requires not only pedagogical skill but also a high level of integrity and adherence to the law. On November 13, 2024, the government released a Special Statute governing teachers, clearly outlining the boundaries of professional conduct.
For educators under the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), understanding these rules is essential for job security. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the mistakes—ranging from administrative negligence to serious misconduct—that can lead to permanent dismissal or removal from your position.
1. Attendance and Professional Integrity
The most basic requirement of the job is showing up. However, integrity extends beyond your physical presence:
Job Abandonment: Absenteeism for 5 consecutive days without a valid reason or permission is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Document Forgery: Submitting falsified academic or professional documents to secure employment.
File Tampering: Fraudulently altering your own professional file or that of a colleague.
Recruitment Fraud: Manipulating a hiring process to favor or disadvantage a specific candidate.
2. Conduct with Students (Learners)
The protection and fair treatment of students are the highest priorities of the new statutes:
Sexual Harassment: Any form of sexual harassment against a learner (or a fellow employee).
Violence and Abuse: Engaging in any form of physical or psychological violence.
Starvation: Intentionally letting learners go hungry or causing them to starve.
Cheating: Facilitating or encouraging a student to cheat in examinations.
Illegal Drugs/Alcohol: Involving students in the purchase, sale, or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Academic and Instructional Standards
Teachers are the guardians of academic quality. Failure to maintain these standards can result in removal:
Grading Malpractice: Using unprofessional methods to award, change, or manipulate student marks.
Assessment Failures: Not complying with the national standards for teaching and administering examinations.
4. Financial and Property Management
Mismanaging school resources is treated as a severe offense:
Theft and Embezzlement: Stealing or mismanaging school property or funds.
Illegal Fee Collection: Charging parents any money not authorized by the Ministry of Education.
Property Damage: Losing or damaging school equipment valued at 500,000 FRW or more due to negligence.
Financial Forgery: Falsifying documents related to the school's financial management.
5. Social Conduct and Ideology
In the context of Rwanda’s history and social fabric, certain behaviors are strictly prohibited:
Genocide Ideology: Using language or any means to support genocide ideology or any form of discrimination.
Incitement: Spreading information intended to divide the school community, sow hatred, or cause panic.
Criminal Association: Joining or forming groups intended to harm or disrupt school activities.
6. Professional Ethics and Workplace Behavior
Insubordination: Verbally or physically insulting a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.
Confidentiality: Leaking professional secrets or sensitive school information.
Drunkenness: Consuming alcohol during working hours or reporting to work intoxicated.
Gross Negligence (For Headteachers): Allowing a school to fall into a state of "extreme filth" or unhygienic conditions.
Definitive Sentencing: Being sentenced to a prison term of 6 months or more by a court of law.
What Happens if a Teacher is Dismissed?
If a teacher is removed due to negligence involving school property, the dismissal isn't the only consequence. According to Article 67 (2), the employee is legally required to repay the full monetary value of the lost or damaged equipment.
Furthermore, for cases of job abandonment (5+ days), the school leadership has the power to dismiss the employee summarily, meaning they do not have to wait for a disciplinary committee's recommendation if a formal report of the absence is filed.
Are you a teacher or school leader? Staying informed is your best defense. Keep a copy of the Official Gazette n° Special of 13/11/2024 for your records to ensure you are always acting within the law.
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