The Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) has inaugurated new and rehabilitated infrastructure worth €10 million (about Rwf16 billion) at six Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools across the country.

The facilities were developed under the third phase of the RTB-KfW TVET Project, a partnership between the governments of Rwanda and Germany, with funding provided through Germany’s development bank, KfW.

The inauguration ceremony took place at Busasamana Technical Secondary School (TSS) in Nyanza District on September 23. It was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Claudette Irere, and Germany’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Heike Uta Dettmann.

The project involved the construction and rehabilitation of student dormitories, dining facilities, classrooms and workshops to improve learning and living conditions for TVET students.

The six beneficiary schools are Busasamana TSS in Nyanza District, ES Kinazi TSS in Ruhango District, Father Ramon TSS in Kamonyi District, Karengera TSS in Nyamasheke District, St Augustin Mibirizi TSS in Rusizi District, and ETO Gatumba TSS in Ngororero District.

ALSO READ: Govt partners with German institutions to promote TVET

Speaking at the ceremony, Irere said the investment goes beyond infrastructure development, describing it as an investment in young people and their ability to contribute to the country&039;s development.

She said the partnership has enabled Rwanda to improve infrastructure, provide modern training equipment and strengthen training capacity across key technical secondary schools.

However, she emphasised that the new facilities must translate into better training and improved preparation of students for employment and entrepreneurship.

"A modern workshop is only valuable when it helps students develop the skills and confidence required to succeed. State-of-the-art tools and equipment only make a difference when learners know how to use them safely, effectively, and creatively,” she said.

"Our responsibility is therefore clear. This investment must lead to measurable improvements in the quality of training and, ultimately, in students’ readiness for the labour market and entrepreneurship.”

Irere said the government expects graduates to use their acquired skills not only to seek employment but also to develop solutions and establish businesses.

"We wish to see young people leave these schools not simply searching for opportunities, but equipped with the tools and capabilities to create solutions, build enterprises, secure decent employment, and contribute meaningfully to their own development as well as that of the country,” she said.

ALSO READ: Rwanda secures over $100m to set up TVET centres of excellence

The minister urged school managers, instructors and local leaders to ensure the facilities are properly used and maintained to benefit future generations of learners.

"Every classroom, workshop, machine, and piece of equipment must be properly used and carefully maintained so that they can serve not only today’s learners but generations of young learners to come,” she said.

She also called on instructors to adopt modern teaching practices and ensure training programmes respond to changing industry needs.

"Modern equipment must be matched by modern teaching practices, close supervision, and training that responds to the changing needs of various industries,” she said.

Addressing students, Irere urged them to make the most of the opportunities provided by the investment.

"Make the most of this opportunity, work hard, master your chosen profession, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards,” she said.

Germany pledges continued support for TVET

Ambassador Dettmann welcomed the completion of the rehabilitation works, highlighting the importance of improved facilities, including kitchens and bathrooms, to students' daily lives.

She said cooperation between Rwanda and Germany in technical and vocational education has a long history and draws on Germany's dual vocational training system, which combines classroom learning with practical workplace training.

Dettmann said the completion of the third phase does not mark the end of the partnership.

"The rehabilitation is complete, but as we have seen during the signing ceremony, the cooperation is not finished,” she said.

"We will continue. We will concentrate on Rwanda because this is how Germany works. In our partnership, we take the lead from Rwanda.”

RTB Director General Paul Umukunzi said the board is also implementing the fourth and fifth phases of the project, which have a combined value of €29 million (about Rwf48 billion).

He said RTB has also signed a new agreement with KfW for a €16 million (about Rwf26 billion) project aimed at supporting young girls to pursue TVET studies and develop their skills.

The completion of the third phase brings the total number of schools supported under the programme to 19, following five schools in the first phase and eight in the second.

Busasamana boarding capacity more than doubles

Elyse Mwumvaneza, head teacher of Busasamana TSS, said the new facilities have significantly increased the school's capacity to accommodate students.

"Before this building was constructed, we used to receive 170 students in boarding, but now the number has increased to 430,” he said.

The newly constructed dining hall can accommodate 500 students, while the boys' dormitory has a capacity of 168 students and the girls' dormitory can accommodate 120.

Mwumvaneza said the expanded facilities will enable the school to accommodate more learners and provide a better environment for technical and vocational training.