HEC gets tough on quality of education, career guidance

Some institutions of higher learning have been pinned for enrolling students with grades that are below the required threshold, while others take up courses for which they have no background.These two issues have been pointed out to be at the centre of universities producing graduates who are not fit for the labour market.The two discussed much of the time during a meeting that brought together the Higher Education Council (HEC) and representatives of Higher Learning Institutions which exclusively discussed improving quality education in universities.Held on Thursday, August 18, the meeting took place after the recent crackdown on private universities by HEC, which resulted in some being closed, while others had to shut some departments.The Director General of HEC Rose Mukankomeje said that the effective management of higher education institutions is one of the pillars that will ensure the quality of graduates that the country needs to achieve its development goals.“Schools especially high learning institutions, should not register students who are not qualified in accordance with the guidelines set by HEC,” said Mukankomeje.She emphasized on the law governing education saying that it was clear and should be followed to the letter, adding that in the end, this serves the best interest of the learner.Career guidanceMukankomeje said that they are raising awareness for high learning institutions to have a career guidance department showing the importance of the guidance centres and how they contribute to the quality education of learners.Joshue Rusine, the legal representative at Gitwe University said that universities face different challenges depending on the new reforms and changes made by the government.He however thanked the council for taking time to explain these reforms to individual universities, saying that at times some of the universities may err because of the ignorance about the law.Cynthia Mulindi, the Director of Academic Operations at VATEL Rwanda, a hospitality training institution, welcomed the new reforms in higher learning institutions, saying it will give a significant boost to the quality of education.Mulindi said that, the new law brings clarity and ensures that all institutions are accountable to deliver high quality education as we promise our enrolling studentsAccording to the Ministry of Education, there are 31 higher learning institutions in Rwanda with just two of them public while the rest are privately owned.

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HEC gets tough on quality of education, career guidance