The Government Education on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Switzerland to promote market oriented skills training in Rwanda.
Nsengiyumva (R) and Flueckiger sign the MOU on Thursday. The New Times/John Mbanda
The event marked the official launch of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)’s new programme to promote market oriented skills training in the country.
“In a small landlocked country with only limited natural resources available, human capital and skills development are key to socio-economic development. Switzerland is itself confronted with this reality,” explained Silvio Flueckiger, the deputy Resident Director, Development and Cooperation, SDC.
He explained that this programme is a direct result of the Swiss government’s will to strenghten its engagement in the Great Lakes region including Rwanda, Burundi and the province of South Kivu in DRC.
“This is a major step in the future of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) schools, since Switzerland relies mainly on human capital; we can only emulate that to improve our economy,” said Albert Nsengiyumva, the minister of state in charge of TVET.
In collaboration with the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), SDC will construct and equip one vocational training centre (VTC) in Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Ngororero districts of the Western Province.
This project will cost $6 million in the course of three years. WDA and Swiss Contact (a Swiss organisation) will be responsible for the implementation of the programme.
The government’s plan is to increase students pursuing TVET courses to 60 per cent of the total secondary school student population in the country by 2017.
The whole idea is to put emphasis on courses that are demand-driven and which increase job-creation opportunities, said the minister.
In 2008, the government established WDA to oversee the implementation of the country’s TVET system, which is seen as a vehicle to help empower Rwandans with hands on skills and entrepreneurial capacity.
TVET includes short and medium-term hands-on intensive courses and more sophisticated technical training, with both sections laying more emphasis on practical skills as opposed to theory, which is synonymous with the classic education system.
By Irene Nayebare, The New Times
