The Higher Education Council (HEC) says it is encouraging to see religious leaders participating in theology studies, following a recommendation made by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).
This comes as figures show that at least half of the more than 5,000 religious leaders targeted have already enrolled in theology studies.
In 2018, the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) gave religious organizations and churches five years to ensure that their leaders studied theology, in line with a law that was intended to regulate religious beliefs.
Among those who took the initiative to study theology is Pastor Anicet KALISA, who heads religious forum organizations and churches in Huye District.
Pastor Anicet KALISA, who completed his theology studies at PUR, says the knowledge he gained from the university will help him to lead more effectively.
He says studying helps a person to lead effectively, avoid mistakes and avoid teaching misleading doctrines. It also helps someone understand how to address problems that arise within religious organizations and find solutions to them.
Dozithe UWIZEYIMANA, who also completed her theology studies at PUR, said the knowledge she gained will help her perform her responsibilities effectively and deliver teachings based on knowledge.
She says when you study and apply what you have learned, you improve the way you do your work. You avoid saying things you have made up yourself and instead teach things whose sources you understand, while presenting them in a way that is appropriate for the people. This also helps prevent the spread of misleading teachings.
Prof. Viateur HABARUREMA, the Director of Academic Affairs and Research at PUR, one of the institutions that teaches and provides qualifications in theology, says the education students receive helps to align religious beliefs with the country’s development vision.
He says the knowledge that students acquire after completing their studies gives them the ability to contribute to the building of Rwandan society and improving the wellbeing of citizens. It also helps them address challenges they encounter, understand the Word of God and base their teachings on it to avoid misleading doctrines.
Apart from Prof. Habarurema, Theoneste NKUNDIMANA, an official in charge of information quality at the Higher Education Council, says that studying Theology helps religious leaders and teachers to better understand what they teach, thereby contributing to reducing misleading doctrines.
He says studying Theology helps leaders and teachers have a clear understanding of what they teach and base their teachings on the knowledge they have acquired. It enables them to teach what they understand well, reducing misleading doctrines and ensuring that the messages they deliver to their followers are well-founded.
The Higher Education Council indicates that at least half of the more than 5,000 religious leaders who were expected to study theology have now been identified among the leadership of religious organizations and churches.
