The establishment of Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) in May 2017 by the Government of Rwanda to implement TVET skills development across the country has shown great improvement in the education system of Rwanda.

According to Rutikanga Vital Gatoyi a teacher in IPRC-Kigali Technical secondary school, he urges that RP has and is still influencing positively to the Rwandan education system.

Rutikanga said, “RP has impacted students with jobs, has changed the economic environment, and has reduced unemployment, especially among the youth.”

He added that Rwanda Polytechnic has changed the mindset of young people who are fresh graduates to focus much on creating for their own jobs than seeking jobs.

“Students have developed into great technicians who have solved technical issues than exporting experts at domestic levels and this provides much knowledge and job opportunities to these students,” Rutikanga said.

Musiime Gideon, a student of level one in IPRC- Karongi pointed out how Rwanda Polytechnic has impacted the Rwandan education system.

Musiime Gideon a level one student in IPRC-Karongi

“RP has improved power of knowledge in students and this instills self-confidence in students, therefore, performing with ability and competence when at work,” Musiime said.

Musiime added, “Rwanda Polytechnic has taught us the competence-based subjects which will help us survive in this speeding technological world without seeing for jobs.”

According to RP five-year strategic plan 2019/2024. The impact expected from successfully following the Rwanda Polytechnic Strategic Plan is to ensure Rwandan citizens have sufficient and appropriate skills, competencies, knowledge, and attitudes to drive the continued social and economic transformation of the country and to be competitive in the global market in the area of TVET.

“The purpose of this plan is to ensure that Rwanda Polytechnic is progressing with clear objectives and a guiding strategy. Following this five-year plan, Rwanda Polytechnic, which corresponds to the five-year strategy, may create annual plans.”

The government of Rwanda has set up a target of 60% of nine years’ basic education graduates to be absorbed in the TVET sector. Successfully following this plan will ensure the vision of providing quality education complies with applicable standards that enable beneficiaries to acquire the skills necessary required to create jobs and compete in the labor market.

Rwanda Polytechnic Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges Rwanda Polytechnic is composed of eight colleges / Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centres (IPRCs) situated in Karongi, Kitabi, Tumba, Musanze, Ngoma, Huye, Kigali, and Gishari. Additionally, there is the Rwanda TVET Trainer Institute (RTTI).

“The IPRCs are the institutions tasked with the delivery of providing quality education that complies with applicable standards through vocational education that enables the beneficiary to acquire skills required to create jobs and compete in the labor market.”

The role of IPRCs is to provide TVET courses at levels six and seven (diploma), as well as to follow up TVET programs in the decentralized implementation structure.

According to the Concept Note for the Development of Rwanda Polytechnic Strategic Plan, Rwanda Polytechnic recognizes that TVET has emerged as one of the most effective human resource development strategies that Rwanda has embraced in order to train and modernize the technical workforce for national development.