Oxford launches English books for Rwanda

By Elizabeth Kameo IN an effort to promote the English language in Rwanda, Oxford University Press launched an agency in Kigali last month and the new Oxford Rwanda English. According to betty Lumu, the Manager Oxford University Press Uganda and Rwanda, "the launch is an effort by Oxford University press to improve and encourage the use of English language in Rwanda by introducing its English publication in the country." Lumu says through Oxford University Press's commitment to the spreading of the teaching of the English language throughout East Africa and other countries, they have also published Oxford Primary English for Rwanda which is a new course for Rwanda primary schools. The new Agency, which was launched by Eugene Munyakayanza, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Rwanda, and run by Azzy Twagira of Kigali Bookstore, will according to Lumu, provide English language teaching materials of the highest quality to Rwanda. The provision she says has been made possible through Oxford University Press's substantial investment in research and piloting, working closely with teachers and commissioning the best available authors. According to Lumu, although it was at first difficult to market the English language books in a country that was predominantly French speaking, the bilingual trend that now exists in Rwanda has enable Oxford University press to provide the country with English Language books. Oxford's extension to Rwanda furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarships and education by publishing worldwide. Lumu says although at the moment Oxford University Press is concentrating on promoting English language in Rwanda. With time, however, they will introduce books for other subjects. "We hope to get into other areas and in secondary school subjects but at the moment, our main focus is Oxford Primary English for Rwanda." She says so far the success of Oxford Primary English for Rwanda is based on the fact that more than before, more school in Rwanda right from the primary to tertiary institutions have taken on teaching the English language. Lumu further says the publication has made a difference for Rwanda primary schools added onto the few English course books that were existing in the country. Ends.