Kabale Diocese has launched a diocesan-wide retooling program for teacher catechists in Catholic-founded primary and secondary schools aimed at strengthening faith formation and improving catechetical instruction among learners.
The program officially commenced on Monday with a one-day seminar at Makiro Parish in Kanungu District. It was commissioned by the Kabale Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, and is expected to be rolled out across all seven deaneries of the diocese—Makiro, Nyakibale, Kitanga, Bukinda, Rushoroza, Rubanda and Mutolere.
Organized by the Kabale Diocesan Education Office in collaboration with the Office of Liturgy and Catechesis, the initiative seeks to equip teacher catechists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively nurture the faith of young people in schools.
Speaking during the seminar, Willy Turyahikahe, the Coordinator of Catechism in the Diocesan Education Office, said the refresher course is intended to reaffirm the vital role teacher catechists play in evangelization and faith formation.
He urged catechists to ensure learners receive sound Catholic instruction, prepare candidates for the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation, and base their teaching on Scripture. He also encouraged them to be people of prayer, maintain close relationships with learners, regularly evaluate their teaching, foster community life in classrooms, and make use of instructional materials to promote interactive learning.
Turyahikahe further announced that the diocese is preparing identification cards and appointment letters for teacher catechists to enable them to continue their ministry even after transfers between schools. He also encouraged teachers to upgrade their academic qualifications.
The Organizing Secretary in the Kabale Diocesan Office of Liturgy and Catechesis, Raymond Ariho, reminded catechists that effective evangelization begins with personal witness.
“We are commissioning you today as Christ commissioned the 72 disciples to go and evangelize in our schools through both our words and our example,” Ariho said.
He emphasized the importance of teaching key areas of the catechism, including daily prayer, the sacraments, the Apostles’ Creed, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Books of the Bible and the Rosary, while ensuring learners are well prepared to receive the sacraments.
Addressing participants, Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana noted that although many Catholic-founded schools have appointed catechists, some are not allocated time to carry out their responsibilities.
He appealed to head teachers to formally appoint catechists and provide them with adequate time to prepare learners for Confirmation. He also called on schools without catechists to identify suitable teachers to undertake the ministry.
Fr. Ndagijimana further encouraged schools to strengthen the Pontifical Mission Societies, particularly Holy Childhood in primary schools and St. Peter the Apostle Society in secondary schools, saying the associations help young people grow in faith while promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial. They appealed to the diocese to provide more catechetical teaching materials and instructional resources to enhance classroom learning.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Gregory Mugarura, Chairperson of the Kanungu Catholic Primary Teachers Association, commended the Diocese for investing in teacher catechists.
He said education remains one of the Church’s strongest ministries and urged teachers to continue supporting vulnerable children while working together to improve standards in Catholic-founded schools.
The seminar also elected the inaugural executive committee for teacher catechists in Makiro Deanery, which will coordinate catechetical activities within Kanungu District.
Fr. Ndagijimana asked teacher catechists to be practicing Catholics who lead by example and recommended that the retooling seminar be held annually to promote continuous formation and evaluation of catechetical ministry.
