Last week, 18 education specialists completed a one-week training programme on the use of information communication and technology (ICT) in education by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Under its capacity building programme, KOICA has been working with different education stakeholders in Rwanda, and this time round, specialists were trained on how to use practical teaching modules using online programs and open sources. 

Dubbed the ‘Capacity Building on Using ICT for Education Programme’, the trainees, who were from the Rwanda Education Board (REB), Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), University of Rwanda (UR), and Adventist University of Central Africa, had an opportunity to interact with four outstanding professors from Korean universities.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the country director of KOICA, Hyeong Lae Cho, recognised the role of the education specialists who accepted to take time and develop the skills and knowledge that will support the ICT in education in Rwanda.

"It’s my honour and pleasure to celebrate the successful completion of the capacity building programme on ‘Using ICT in Education Programme’, whose main aim is to provide opportunity to share knowledge and experience of ICT in education and Korea’s development history, particularly in technology. I, therefore, thank those who took time to participate,” he said. 

Dr Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, the permanent secretary at the education ministry, told the participants that what is expected of them is way beyond being trainees to being trainers of other teachers across the country to fast-track the use of ICT in education.

"Today we are closing the training programme for a few specialists, but I want to tell you that what is expected of you is not just to be trainees but to go beyond that and act as trainers of other teachers in the country as part of sharing ICT skills and knowledge. I must say the implementation plan for use of ICT in education is already there and the next move is to start delivering,” he said.

Ntivuguruzwa also thanked the Korean team and the government for the outstanding support they are providing to the Rwandan people to promote not just the education sector but other sectors. He also appreciated the role of Korean professors who travelled to share Korea’s technology and education experience.

Gabriel Bazirimwabo, the ICT in-school management training officer at REB, believes the training will help them create ICT awareness among other educationists.

"We have had an interactive week learning how to use practical teaching modules, designing lessons using open sources and other ICT skills that I think are required in creating a pool of teachers who are able to contribute to promoting the use of ICT in education,” he noted.

The training os part of a three-year programme which started last year. The ‘Capacity Building Programme’ is operated in 47 countries across the world with its primary objective of sharing important technical skills and knowledge as well as building capacities for sustainable socio-economic development.

According to KOICA, since 2009, 354 people and 65 people from Rwanda participated in capacity building programmes, and this year, 47 trainees are expected to travel for two country-specific programmes and 10 global programmes. 16 candidates will also go for master’s programmes in 15 Korean universities.