The announcement early this week that four institutions of higher learning were recently accredited by the government, giving them the go-ahead to confer degrees, is a great step towards building a knowledge-based economy.

Rwanda’s population is the backbone of the country’s economy. If the citizens are trained and given the necessary skills required to develop a productive workforce, there is no doubt that we shall overcome poverty within our communities.

In 2009, the Government initiated the 9-Year Basic Education (9-YBE) program) Through this program, a number of students have enrolled into school, giving them a better chance to life. However, as today’s world gets more competitive, secondary school education is not enough.

There is a need to go a step further and get additional skills from universities and other higher institutions of learning.

The establishment and accreditation of the new universities is, therefore, a sign of effective planning. Following the increasing number of students completing secondary school, the demand for university and other tertiary institutions is subsequently going up.

Furthermore, in addition to the accreditation, the Ministry of Education should closely follow up on these universities, to make sure they offer programs that are relevant to the development of Rwanda’s economy.

It would not be helpful for universities to produce graduates who can neither find employment, nor have any entrepreneurial skills.

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