TEACHER'S MIND : Making use of the vacation

I don’t know of many things that can bring joy to a student the way finishing national exams does. There is always a sense of extreme joy and satisfaction when one completes examinations of such significance. This feeling can sometimes be hampered if one feels they have not been able to perform satisfactorily in the said exams but by and large the fact that a major life stage has been accomplished leads to some degree of joy. By now many candidates especially those who have just completed their senior six, are still basking in the euphoria of having completed their secondary education. Some are getting ready to kick off drinking sprees that may send them to their Creator before time. Interestingly some will spend the whole vacation time whining about having nothing to do. I wonder if all those who have just finished their examinations also understand the dangers of staying idle. An idle mind is certainly the devil’s workshop. Without anything constructive, one is bound to engage in various anti-social behaviours, consequences of which are often detrimental. This however does not have to be the case. There are many ways one can keep busy during the vacation. To start with, students who have been studying in the francophone system can use the long holiday to take English classes since at the university they will be expected to take lectures in English and not French. There are several English language schools in and around Kigali that can help one to catch up with the language. Apart from taking English lessons, one can also embark on basic IT skills. IT is surely the future of the working world. Anyone who cannot efficiently use a computer in this age should not expect any decent job. Therefore enrolling for computer lessons during the long vacation is not only a wise move but an expected one. Those with basic computer skills can still try a hand at advanced computer packages. You really lose nothing but stand to gain a lot instead. Those who may not harbour any further academic plans can still do other constructive things instead of spending hours watching movies and roaming around town without purpose. Visiting relatives in the village can be one interesting endeavour. It is likely to offer one the chance to bond with wise people like grandparents and uncles. I personally learnt a lot about my culture and the challenges people in rural areas face when I spent time at my grandmother’s residence. For those whose parents own businesses like shops, the long holiday can be spent helping out at these places. One can learn a lot about how business is conducted by helping out at a restaurant or shop. More importantly, such an experience can go a long way in helping a youngster to appreciate work and value for money. Many students think their parents just go to work and return with money just like that. Rwanda is said to be a small country but a good number of people are only familiar with Kigali and their villages. It is worthwhile to take time and tour different parts of the country and appreciate the beauty the country. Why should Europeans come and visit the different parts of Rwanda when a native staying in Remera has no idea what is after Kicukiro? For those who can afford, a trip beyond Rwanda’s borders can be quite memorable. Now that we are part of the East African community, it is not too much to ask for one to visit other East African cities like Bujumbura, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam or Kampala. This could be a chance for you to find out why the leaders of these five countries decided to revive the defunct East African community. The space is not enough for me to list all the different things here but whatever you do, let it be positive. Nice holidays to you all. ssenyonga@gmail.com