A total of 2857 students graduated with degrees and diplomas in education at the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), yesterday.Up to 322 of the graduands are from Rukara College of Education and 216 are from Kavumu College of Education, all of whom were awarded with diplomas in education. Both colleges are affiliated to KIE.Some 1333 graduated with Bachelor’s, 275 with postgraduates diploma in education, 50 with postgraduate certificate in higher education, while 37 were awarded masters of social sciences in gender and development.More than 600 in service teachers trained through distance training centers were also awarded diplomas.Speaking to The New Times, Emmanuel Nsengimana, who graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Arts and Languages with distinction said, "I am so excited and proud, it has taken so long to reach this special time. I also spent much time and hope what I learnt will help me to serve society and make a change.”"I thought it wouldn’t be possible for me to reach this, I met some challenges but I finally made it. The next step is to struggle and be more productive, I thank the government for the support,” said.Shamsi Kazimbaya, one of the pioneer students of masters in Gender and development said, "I am proud of this event. I and some of my colleagues have been working in gender and development sector without enough academic skills, we have now got the skills despite challenges.”The Rector of KIE, Prof. George Njoroge, reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to producing high quality teachers to offer quality education in the country. He appealed to the graduates to keep doing further research to offer quality education.The State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Mathias Harebamungu, commended the graduands for their hard work and achievement.He stressed the need for career guidance in schools so as to produce graduates needed in the job market."We still have a challenge of career guidance in education, our graduates must have jobs or at least put themselves in position to have jobs,” said Harebamungu.