For some time now, messages encouraging girls to embrace vocational training have been widely shared through the media and other public spaces. These efforts are paying off, as more girls are now joining TVET schools.
RTB's Director General, Eng. Paul Umukunzi, noted that while the number of girls in TVET schools is still lower than that of boys, the gap is much smaller compared to previous years.
"Girls now make up 43% of students in technical, vocational, and training schools. The challenge is that they tend to concentrate in certain programs while avoiding others," he said. In 2023, only 15% of TVET students were girls.
Umukunzi explained that the government has introduced initiatives to encourage girls to enroll in fields they traditionally avoided due to cultural perceptions.
"For example, in construction and manufacturing, the number of girls remains low. We have introduced programs to show them that they are just as capable as their male counterparts."
Among these initiatives is a scholarship program designed to increase female participation in underrepresented fields, with RTB planning to award scholarships to 4,000 girls.
Additionally, the government is improving infrastructure in TVET schools to make them more accommodating for female students.
"The equipment we purchase today is modern and does not require excessive physical strength. Even though strength differences are often exaggerated, technological advancements now ensure that no job is exclusive to men," he added.
Established by the Rwandan government in 2020, RTB is tasked with enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education to support economic development and improve the well-being of citizens.
IGIHE
