Gov’t to adopt new strategy on skills dev’t

In a move to strengthen and promote the country’s human capital development, the government is set to establish the Human Capital and Skills Development Strategy for Rwanda. The framework which will be under the RDB’s department of Human Capital and Institutional Development, will act as an engine for the realisation of the country’s goal of creating a knowledge-driven economy. In an interview with The New Times, the RDB Deputy CEO in charge of Human capital and Institutional Development, Deogratius Harorimana, said that the new strategy is set to be launched during the forthcoming government retreat. “We are looking forward to implementing this strategy; we have done the feasibility studies and we are now apportioning responsibility to the respective institutions, we find it feasible,” he observed. He noted that this new strategy will be executed out in two phases; the rapid response and long term response. The rapid response will at first make a follow-up on the existing agreement between the government and other states regarding education and capacity building, and the next phase will ensure that these agreements are honoured. “The government signed agreements with many countries to have Rwandans studying in those countries pay the same tuition fees as nationals, but some have been reluctant to implement this. This will be followed up under this phase,” Harorimana revealed. Activities to be carried out in the long term phase will include developing capacity building institutions, establishing incentives for people working in the human capacity development sector and the target group, strengthening TVET and related programmes. Harorimana added that the private sector is going to be at the centre of this strategy where it will be linked to the universities and other tertiary institutions to ensure that they produce skills according to the needs of the private sector. “If we are to promote the private sector, we need to respond to its needs, and the best way to achieve this, is by bringing it on board as part of the decision makers in these institutions’ programmes and priorities” he said. “The education sector has to be working ahead of time, such that the skills that will be required at a certain time can be availed at least five years in advance. Ends

National

Gov’t to adopt new strategy on skills dev’t