A Technical and Vocational school worth Rwf 700 million is to be constructed in Rushaki sector, Gicumbi District. This was revealed by Bishop Servilian Nzakamwita, the head of Regina Mundi Catholic Parish at the ground breaking ceremony on Saturday. The ceremony was presided over by the Northern Province Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe. Nzakamwita said their decision to construct the school in the area was driven by the need to equip youths with hands-on-skills. “We consider it important to contribute towards government programmes and by coming up with this idea, we want our children to have skills that will enable them to take part in the development of the country,” he said. Nzakamwita said the project will be completed in one year. He, however, cited lack of electricity as one of the major challenges to development projects in the area. Nzakamwita appealed to local authorities to lobby for power in order to spur development. “A vocational school must have electricity but it is lacking in this area which is a big problem,” he noted. The school is being constructed on two hectares of land. It is expected to offer courses, including plumbing, carpentry and welding among others. Bosenibamwe promised to work together with other local leaders to ensure the area gets electricity. He also pointed out that given the need for vocational schools to promote Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), the government will work together with the church to successfully implement the project. By 2017, the government targets to have increased the number of students joining TVET to 60 percent in its drive to produce more job creators than seekers. “TVET is the way to go and we will use all our efforts to support this project,” Bosenibamwe said. The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Interfaith Network against HIV/ Aids (RCLS), Ignace Singirankabo, one of the key partners working with the church in promoting youth in the area said there is need to support the youth around boarder districts, adding that most of the time, they end up crossing to other countries to join bad groups. Working closely with the church, RCLS through the Christian Aid Ministries funded projects at a tune of Pounds 150,000 has supported over 300 youth by engaging them in livestock activities.
