Competence and TVET Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Rwanda

In many African countries, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is considered a means to stimulate strategic economic growth. In order to render TVET more in line with market demands, governments increasingly promote the competence-based education (CBE) approach. In this chapter, the Central African country Rwanda is studied as an exemplary case for sub-Saharan Africa in how they apply CBE. Through competence-based curriculum development and teacher training, a centralised form of workforce planning is envisaged that would shape the TVET reform in the Central African country.In Rwanda, the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) follows a systems approach to implement CBE in TVET. Having done so over the past 4 years, it becomes apparent that in the transitional phases of the systems, there is much ‘transitional noise’ that hampers implementation. This fact challenges the centralist view on CBE and its scope for national workforce planning. However, some positive features emerge from CBE implementation in that it stimulates practical learning and creativity in TVET.It is argued that by adapting the concept of competence to a more decentralised, intrinsic and generic form of TVET, a more capable, innovative and employable workforce can be formed. Government should thereby not just focus on formal employment but follow a diversified and inclusive approach of TVET for youth employment in all segments of the economy.