Conservation students decry transcripts delay

Students who completed studies at Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management have expressed frustration over the institution’s delay to issue them with academic transcripts.The college offers a diploma in wildlife conservation after two years of study. It also offers short courses for working people for two to three weeks, mainly in conservation and tourism studies.More than 40 students are affected.Some students who spoke to The New Times said they were unable to get promotions without academic transcripts.“Our achievement as diploma holders is not considered since there is nothing to show,” said Denial Niyonsaba, one of the students, who completed last year.Pascaline Ingabire, also a student, said she feels low over the situation despite assurances from the institution.An official who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the college, blamed the problem on the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) delay to accredit the institution (since its inception in 2006). However, Rica Rwigamba, the head of tourism and conservation at RDB, denied there was a deliberate delay.“We’ve been working on this issue with the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), but it is a process that will be settled before the end of the year,” she said.Rwigamba said consultations are ongoing to determine ownership of this institute. Depending on the outcome, the college may be a public institution or private.Jerome Gasana, the director-general of WDA, the public institution in charge of accrediting and overseeing vocational and technical schools, said the institute will be accredited if it fulfils the requirements.“We have to consider several factors, including staffing and curricula before accrediting,” he said.

National

Conservation students decry transcripts delay