Our values, traditions and culture are cornerstones of our ability to compete at the regional and international level.

Boniface Rucagu, the chairperson of National Itorero Commission, said this at the launch of Itorero for students in Musanze Polytechnic, in Musanze District, last week.

The students presented their   performance contracts for the academic year.

The launch brought together Workforce Development Authority officials, school principals, guild presidents and Musanze District officials, among others.

Rucagu told the students that their skills went hand in hand with their moral values as Rwandans.

"We can compete in the labour market either locally or internationally by using our skills to give good technical service. Nonetheless, we cannot achieve our goal of self-sufficiency without making culture the cornerstone of what we do,” Rucagu said.

Citing Rwanda’s difficult past, Rucagu challenged the students to think and act differently.

"It is the first time polytechnic students and lecturers sit together and dicuss patriotism. It is the first time teachers pledge to promote national values; this isn’t only happening here at Musanze Polytechnic but elsewhere across the country. Intore should be at the forefront of this renaissance, ” he said.

Speaking to The New Times at the launch, Gisele Furaha, an engineering student, pledged to heed the lessons learnt at the camp.

"I will promote patriotism among girls and encourage them to join technical schools in order to give a vital contribution to the national development. Also, I will encourage my fellow female students to avoid prostitution and promote abstinence to avoid unwanted pregnancy,” Furaha said.

Jean Damascene Nsengiyumva, the guild president of Musanze Polytechnic, urged students to be catalysts of development.

"We have many plans to help our community. We are committed to helping the local community irrigate their fields to increase production and also promote food processing,” Nsengiyumva said.

Jerome Gasana, the director-general of the Workforce Development Authority, encouraged parents to send their children to technical schools.

"Our dream is to have over 60 per cent of students in technical schools. Parents should encourage their children on talents from the primary school level in order for them to be oriented properly when they reach tertiary level,” Gasana said.

Musanze Polytechnic, which opened in March 2015, currently has a population of 550 students in various disciplines.