More inmates are set to benefit from Technical and Vocational Education Training following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS).

The agreement was signed yesterday in Kigali by Maj. Gen. Paul Rwarakabije, the head of RCS and Jerome Gasana, the Director General of WDA.

Rwarakabije said there was need for more training to boost inmates’ skills.

"Those who enrol for TVET gain skills and after serving their sentence, they engage in productive work,” Rwarakabije said.

There are more than 53,000 inmates in the country’s correctional facilities and participation in the training is optional.

"Three vocational training centres have already been established in correctional centres. They include; Huye, Rwamagana and Musanze,” Rwarakabije said, adding that government plans to increase the number so that all inmates in the country can acquire the requisite skills.

"Prisoners deserve to have the same level of skills like the rest of the citizens,” Gasana said.

Currently more than 83,000 students are enrolled in TVET schools and 21, 000 students graduate annually.

But by 2018, the plan is to produce over 190,000 which requires a comprehensive approach by the government and other stakeholders. editorial@newtimes.co.rw