Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) is rooting for standards issues to be included in the national school curricula for primary and secondary levels to strengthen standardisation and product certification culture among Rwandans.

Dr Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the RSB director general, told The New Times on Monday that the standards body is already engaging the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and other stakeholders to include the subject into the curricula.

"We have already engaged REB, and, hopefully, we will reach an agreement by the year’s end. The idea is to create awareness about standards among young people at an early stage so standards can become part and partial of our culture,” Bagabe explained.

He emphasised the role of standards in the development of the country, saying they are essential to support the local industry, boost competitiveness and service delivery.

We will establish standardisation clubs in secondary schools to popularise the subject, he added.

Meanwhile, Bagabe said RSB was targeting to certify about 150 products this year.

"Our target this year is to conduct more training on standards, seek accreditation and develop at least 150 standards,” he said.

Last year, RSB developed and passed 120 standards.

"The focus for this year will be  more on SMEs, especially those in agro-processing, including banana wine makers,” Samuel Mporanzi, the RSB standards lead officer, said.

He said the approach will be more on monitoring and mentoring startups, as well as building their capacity, knowledge and skills.

Last year, the standards watchdog was restructured, and now focuses more on standards’ development, metrology, testing and product certification, leaving the quality assurance role to an independent department.