Move to equip students with computer maintenance skills

Tumba College of Technology (TCT) in partnership with Rwanda Education Board (REB) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), have launched a technical and vocational training programme to equip secondary school students with computer maintenance skills. The initiative aims at producing more skilled workers that will help in repairing and recycling e-Waster found in stores of various institutions, according to TCT officials.“The lack of knowledge or skills to fix even minor computer cases have led many people abandoning and dumping computers in their stores,” said Eng. Pascal Gatabazi, the Principal of TCT.He made the remarks during the launch of the programme at the TCT main campuses in Rulindo district, Northern Province. The event saw the first batch of 30 students from four secondary schools receiving certificates after successfully completing a one-month training.The students were drawn from Stella Matutina, Inyange Girl’s School, Institute Baptiste de Buberuka (IBB) and ESSI Nyamugayi.Gatabazi highlighted that the programme that is expected to extend to other districts, will not only help in putting to good use computers that had been dumped, but it will also contribute to student`s practical experience.Speaking to The New Times, some of the students said the training has greatly improved their skills.“I can not only identify a faulty computer that can be repaired, but I can repair; meaning that I can also use my skills to make money,” said Jameson Eina Nayitunik, a S2 student at IBB.The Deputy Director, Rwanda Education Board (REB) in charge of ICT, Dr Evode Mukama, encouraged students to join ICT clubs in their respective schools, saying that it is also another way through which they can improve on their skills.He added that the initiative will reduce unemployment.Alex Ntare, the Director of ICT Chamber at the Private Sector Federation (PSF), called on students to be creative, innovative and to use the skills acquired to benefit others.He also promised that PSF will work together with other development partners to promote the use of ICT and making the youth able to solve problems or challenges that come with technology advancement.

National

Move to equip students with computer maintenance skills