By understanding productivity strategies at every level, studies have shown that students discover the ways in which they work best, while gaining an appreciation for how others work as well when outside the school environment.

More importantly, education experts believe that knowing how to help learners gain these competencies is imperative, as it ‘sharpens’ them for when they get out there.

The essence of teamwork

Stanley Mukasa, a Kigali-based teacher, says that one of the biggest things that students today need to succeed at work is the ability to work as a team.

In his view, learners need to first understand how to communicate, compromise and share credit, so that they can be a valuable member to society.

"This can be imparted by teachers and parents through encouraging teamwork in almost everything the students take part in,” he says.

This can work well if teachers monitor classwork or school assignments and projects, and parents encourage participation in home activities.

Mukasa points out that this is important because the workforce requires team effort.

He adds that employers nowadays want people who understand how to manage a project, deliver in time, and work with a team under minimal supervision.

Parents should encourage their children to take part in the mandatory nationwide community work, Umuganda, starting at a young age as it will instil the spirit of teamwork.

Taking challenges head-on

Dr Alphonse Uworwabayeho, a lecturer of mathematics at University of Rwanda’s College of Education, says in many ways, ‘real life’ begins after graduation for students.

He says that at this point, students should already know how to start putting their knowledge to use and manage their own finances and life plans as they join the real world. 

He notes that learning institutions should not just focus on students getting the material, but where it will take them later in life.

The lecturer says educators should nurture career guidance and personal success to enable learners find their way in the world outside the school environment.

"Putting in mind that going to school is only a stepping stone to the student’s life goals is important. The most significant aspect is to ensure that learners are equipped with 21st-century skills that can help them survive in the real world,” he says.

Thinking skills

According to Aime Prince Lionel Murara, the deputy national coordinator in charge of operations and partnership in Education for Nations and Humanitarian Africa (ENHA), in the workplace, it’s not just about getting to the right end, but getting there via the best path.

He says that this should start or be reinforced in higher learning institutions, by giving students context for decision-making and solving problems.

"In any working place out there, what’s  required from any employee is innovation, creativity, and the ability to look at a task and not only see the outcome, but also, imagine different ways to achieve it,” he says.

Uworwabayeho says that although higher learning institutions are extremely important to many careers; it’s not for everyone or every career.

For that reason, he says, schools should be in a position to offer courses that will prepare students for wherever they want to go in life. This, he says, means that they should aim at offering school and career preparation. 

He goes on to highlight that there is a need to be in a range of educational options for students, because of the great diversity in the population and the workplace.

Uworwabayeho says that all learning institutions have a big role to play in preparing the next generation of workers. All this can be achieved if they are familiarised with priorities, career expectations and ways of working.