Are students studying to pass exams or to be equipped with knowledge that will assist them in the future? Of course, good grades can earn one a good job, but what keeps this person at the job is their capability to work hard and put their studied skills in action.
Many job recruiters search for the relevant job-related knowledge more than academic transcripts. Young job seekers should understand that several years of learning are not enough, as so much more is required.
Learners require innovative representations of learning that can give them the skills that are relevant today, and a prerequisite in the future, experts say.
What learners need is an education system that actually trains them to be job creators, not job seekers, as this will curb the high rate of unemployment.
Enos Tumwikirize, a teacher at Kigali Parents’ School, Kimironko, explains that the best way to bridge the gap between employment and education is to embrace the competence-based curriculum which is already in place.
"I am optimistic that if we implement the new syllabus and teach students according to its objectives, we shall be able to bridge the education and employment gap. Therefore, the task now is to equip all learning institutions with the required learning materials so that there is the effective implementation of the competency-based syllabus,” he says.
Tumwikirize adds that schools need to emphasize co-curricular activities, through giving them time, attention and value. Ensure students are given the opportunity to develop their talents. These talents can end up becoming jobs for these students in the future.
He says that a number of people are paid for their talent; for instance, musicians, comedians, soccer players, artists, athletes, among others. This is why students shouldn’t limit themselves.
Eva Mutumba, a teacher at Lead International School Kigali, says that effective communication is key when it comes to the employment world. The ability to communicate effectively unveils confidence, objectivity, and maturity among learners, and it is the teacher’s responsibility to encourage this.
Educators must inspire students to focus on skills like public speaking on different topics of interest, as this will elevate their confidence and encourage them to actively participate in events, social work, and et cetera, she adds.
She adds that the system shouldn’t tolerate cramming, rather, instil creativity, which will be important even after school.
Mutumba also notes that students should learn to multitask, through engaging in other activities in addition to classwork, or develop new interests, as those extra activities might create job opportunities.
She highlights that swift changes in technology, information and economy require new capacity in critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making, team work, and more.
"Learners should interact with industries through taking part in internship and other entrepreneurial ventures, as these will expose them to everyday challenges and how to deal with them,” she says.
Vincent Niyibizi, a tutor at the University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies in Kigali, is of the view that skills and knowledge acquired ought to help in the innovation of new jobs, but also equip graduates with the knowledge to cope with new technology.
He says, content taught in school must be related to social life, and the education system must be built based on the target, objectives of the country, and should have a long vision to ensure that the young generation enjoys the benefits.
"Education and employment must be interconnected, if not, they both might fail. In Rwanda, we need engineers and entrepreneurs that are aware of the Rwandan terrain, medical doctors who are able to use African resources to cure people,” Niyibizi emphasises.