At least 2500 students from 44 higher learning institutions countrywide are attending the third training session of civic education, dubbed "Intagamburuzwa,” ahead of the beginning of new semester for 2016-2017, academic year.

The training will be conducted under the theme, "Job creation and employment opportunity.”

The weeklong exercise is organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with National Itorero Commission, Ministry of Youth and ICT, Workforce Development Authority among other government institutions.

The trainees will camp at three sites in Kigali, including College of Education in Remera, IPRC-Kigali in Kicukiro.

Briefing the trainees at Petit Stade in Remera, yesterday, Dr Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education, said more lectures on job creation will be provided to equip the participants with additional tips they can use upon their graduation.

The students are expected to act as agents of change in their respective institutions as well as the county, he said.

"You were selected to represent your fellow students. We expect you to become our ambassadors. You are now trainees but we expect you to train others after this exercise,” Ntivuguruzwa said, noting that the transformation of the country will depend on efforts of the young generation.

"The country’s achievements are the foundation. You, too, have to build on them so that your achievements will help others,” he said.

Civic education training offers an opportunity to shape the minds of the students, reminding them of the vision of the country.

Ntivuguruzwa said the Government has designed several initiatives to address unemployment in the country such as attraction   of more investors, construction of industries, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training centres.

But participants were also called on not to focus much on job search but strive for self-employment by creating their own jobs.

"Some graduates overlook some jobs. Trainees will be encouraged to embrace any kind of available job opportunities,” Ntivuguruzwa said.

Valens Umurava Twagirimana, a student of Electro Mechanics at IPRC-Kigali, said his dream is to create his own job and employ other people.

"Jobs are scarce. But I do not see this as a calamity. The knowledge we get from schools is the key to start own jobs. I think that knowledge we will gain during this exercise will complement our skills to strive for self-employment instead of being employees,” Twagirimana said.

Epiphanie Cyizere, another trainee, shared her creativity of basket weaving, saying she had decided to start weaving after experiencing difficulties getting a job.

 The training is expected to end on September 11.

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