Parents send their children to school to acquire knowledge and skills. Most schools, however, have been blamed for pumping too many theories into the learner' minds with very little focus on practical education.

But one school stands out from the crowd: EFOTEK. It is among the few schools in Kigali City with a vegetable garden.

How it was created

For a long time EFOTEK secondary school paid someone to supply the school with vegetables to supplement the students’ meals. Unfortunately last year, the supplier became inconsistent meaning some meals had to be prepared without these important nutrient-containing greens.

According to Monica Tumukunde, the head-teacher of EFOTEK, it was frustrating to serve food without vegetables to the students on some occasions. A permanent solution had to be found, and that’s how the idea of a school vegetable garden came to mind.

The school would buy seeds, guide the students on how to plant, weed and harvest the vegetables, and the students do the day-to-day running of the project.

"We received the idea with great delight since we knew the benefits of such a project. To start with, vegetables contain many important nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C,” says Benjamin Tuyisingize, one of the students.

Benefits

One year down the road, Tumukunde is all praises for the project which has turned out to be a big success.

"Besides enabling us to be self-reliant in terms of food, the vegetable garden offers students an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture and consumption,” Tumukunde says. "It equips students with life skills which can help them survive in both urban and rural areas.”

According to Anaclet Karamuka, a teacher, the garden that comprises of cabbages, onions and egg plants, has completely changed the mood of students.

"Our students no longer complain about poor feeding and cases of sickness have also reduced.

This has in turn led to better academic performance,” Karamuka says, adding that they will also begin growing carrots and tomatoes in order to increase variety.

"We encourage our students to use the skills and knowledge they acquire to start small vegetable gardens (akarima k’igikoni) back home. We also sensitise them about the importance of agriculture to the development of our country’s economy,” he explains.

Transfer of knowledge

Adeline Iradukunda, a student, says she has used these ideas and skills to improve food security at home.

"I started a small vegetable garden at home and everyone is happy because it enables us to eat nutritious meals while at the same time saving my parents a lot of money that was originally spent on buying vegetables,” she says.

Source of pride

Although EFOTEK owns more than 20 cows which provide milk that is added to the students’ porridge, the vegetable garden is what the students identify with more. To them, it is a symbol of pride and identity.

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WHAT STUDENTS THINK

Amos CyusaThe school garden has helped me acquire new skills and knowledge which I will apply even after school. I had always thought that one needed a big chunk of land to do agriculture but this experience has totally changed my perception.

Gentille TuyishimeThe garden has brought us close to nature and made us more responsible. The school administration tasked us to take care of the garden and I must say we are learning a lot. It has also promoted team work.

Eric NiyigenaThe experience I got from farming at school has given me the confidence to start a small vegetable garden at home. I’m proud of that because my family is reaping from my innovation. It is also an additional skill I’ve learnt.

Christine Tuyisenge This garden is like an exercising ground for me because it keeps me active. It is also a dream come true because I had always been interested in agriculture but with no practical exposure. The skills I’m getting are invaluable.