THIS WEEK more than 20,000 technical and vocational school students across the country started their practical national exams in public works, construction, electronics and telecommunication, carpentry, forestry, hotel operations, tourism and veterinary, accounting, among others.

A few years after the government undertook a major campaign to change public perception about technical and vocational education and technical programmes as well as implement radical reforms in the TVET field, figures indicate that more and more students are joining TVET schools as opposed to conventional schools.

While it remains unclear whether the about 40 per cent of Nine Year Basic Education graduates who currently join TVET do so because it is their preferred alternative education pathway, one thing that’s clear is that enrolment in schools that offer hands-on, more relevant skills is increasing.

Technical and vocational schools may not be a new phenomenon in Rwanda but the current system is by far more focused, streamlined and results-oriented, and has received a great deal of attention from government and other actors.

Previously, technical and vocational skills were practically a reserve for the under-privileged and those whose grades were not good enough to attract classic education scholarship or assistance. However, the government has, in recent years, moved to banish that perception, selling TVET as the most relevant and rewarding form of education that can give us the badly needed pool of skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

But there was need for massive investments to raise the standard of existing TVET centres and new centres of excellence complete with technical equipment and qualified instructors to turn around the entire system and build public confidence in technical and vocational schools. Indeed, every year billions of Francs are now set aside for TVET funding.

If the government remains consistent with this approach, these investments and efforts will pay off sooner rather than later. The private sector too needs to fully come onboard and help promote TVET as a driver for Rwanda’s socio-economic development. They can do so through establishing well equipped training centres, offering internships, apprenticeships and job placements for graduates, as well as actively taking part in shaping the curricular of TVET schools.

Once fresh TVET graduates start to make a difference in the world of work, thanks to the quality of education acquired, it will send a strong signal to the public: that it’s no longer business as usual, its not about your degree anymore but the skill you posses will earn you a place in the world of entrepreneurship or your dream job.