Public transport drivers on Rwandan roads will in the near future be obligated to, in addition to driving permits, have an additional certificate gained from further professional training.

The Rwanda Association of Passenger Transporters (ATPR) in collaboration with the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), on Tuesday, October 22, launched an institution that will be tasked with offering such professional training.

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The new move is in accordance with a 2023 law governing land and waterways transport which stipulates that a driver who wishes to work in public transport must hold a professional certificate issued to that effect.

In an interview, Aimable Rwamasirabo, the Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Materials Development at RTB, said Rwandan drivers have skills but there are gaps that were noticed regarding their professionalism and values.

"We want them to be better. Those drivers who will go to this institution will be different from the ones who don’t,” he said.

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The school is expected to also provide training on things like languages and new technologies like e-mobility.

Eric Cyusa, a Kigali-based driver, said that public transport drivers have been lacking in various professional aspects including not following a professional dress code, and their parking skills, among others.

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Theoneste Mwunganizi, the president of ATPR, said they thought it worthwhile to make their drivers professional because they realised there were issues in that regard.

The institution started with 120 drivers and will train them for three months.