Educationists discuss training needs

Over 50 international educationists, together with local teachers, Tuesday concluded a three-day open summit that aimed at helping them impart their students with skills that are relevant to the needs of the country.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Over 50 international educationists, together with local teachers, Tuesday concluded a three-day open summit that aimed at helping them impart their students with skills that are relevant to the needs of the country.The summit which was organised by Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning-SCIL, in partnership with Shyira Diocese,  discussed how to change the education system by preparing a workforce that will meet future needs.Stephen Harris, Director for SCIL, and Principal of Northern Beaches Christian School, Australia, said there was need for a fundamental shift of education to meet current needs of the community."There has to be a completely new wave, education has to be contextualized to meet the needs of the environment, there is need for creativity and innovation, we have to be forward thinkers,” said Harris."With entrepreneurial thinkers, action-oriented people and those with a commitment to serving this generation, we hope to create sustainable and economic options for improving infrastructure associated with school and schooling,” he said. Bishop Laurent Mbanda, of Shyira Diocese, said that the summit helps bring into the limelight challenges and gaps within the education system and share knowledge. The summit included academics, entrepreneurs and over 40 teachers from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Australia, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand and USA.Participants visited three primary schools in Musanze and Burera districts as part of their study tour.