TVET schools laude students’ contribution to building needed infrastructure

The leadership of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions emphasizes that students play a crucial role in building essential infrastructure. This serves as tangible evidence that their education is effective and equips them with the necessary skills for future employment opportunities.

TVET aims to equip individuals with practical skills and competencies needed for specific occupations, as well as more broadly for the labor market, for both current and future job requirements.

At least 70% of students’ time is spent on practical lessons, with theory making up 30%. This practical experience helps students gain skills in various trades while still in school, enabling them to contribute effectively.

For example, at the Center For Champions TSS in Rwamagana District, students in the Building Construction trade built two workshop rooms. Similar projects were also completed at Fr. Ramon Kabuga TSS located in Kamonyi District, Ngamba Sector and Nelson Mandela TSS in Bugesera District where two classrooms were built respectively.

Students also participate in the installation of electrical systems and plumbing at their schools and manufacture various items, including doors, windows, chairs, beds, and more, which they sell to generate income while still at school.

The Deputy Head of Studies at Center for Champions, Musafiri Jean Pierre, stated, “The fact that students are involved in the construction of needed infrastructure in schools shows that our teachings are effective. It also gives students confidence, as they see that the skills they learn will match what society requires when they enter the workforce.”

He explained that the workshop they built was valued at over Rwf 19 million, but they managed to complete it for under Rwf 5 million, saving enough funds for other projects.

Bizimana Diogene, the DOS at Nelson Mandela TSS, emphasized the value of students contributing to the construction of essential infrastructure and said it is a goal the school has set for itself.

 “We have a commitment that every intake leaves behind something based on the knowledge they have gained. You have seen the two classrooms built with student involvement. Some built walls, others made doors, installed electrical systems, and more. Here, we have offices, an ICT room, and fences built by students. Clearly, this is a significant contribution”, he said.

Uwimana Immaculée, Head of GS Cyahafi in Gitega Sector, Nyarugenge District, mentioned that although the construction trade has not been around for long, whenever there is a need for tasks related to plumbing or building pavements within the school, students perform the work rather than hiring external workers.

Agaba James Denis, a final-year Plumbing student at CFC, said that practice allows them to gain more skills, and they even receive paid work during the holidays.

He said, “I chose plumbing because I enjoy it; I now skilled in installing water heaters and home toilets. During the last holiday, I got a job where I applied my skills, earning both money and advanced knowledge”.

Tuyizere Osée, a Level 5 Manufacturing Technology student at Nelson Mandela TSS, also expressed pride in the fact that local people buy the items made by students.

The Director General of the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), Dipl.-Ing. Paul Umukunzi, states that the capacity to accommodate students in TVET institutions is available, but there are still those who believe that these programs are only for less talented students.

Currently, in Rwanda, there are more than 120,000 students enrolled in 596 TVET institutions. The government’s target was for at least 60% of students to be enrolled in these schools by the end of 2024, but the achievement at the end of that year was 43%.