Mapping teacher skills for future TVET Centres of Excellence

The Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) and the Improving skills for holistic employment in modern agriculture (ISHEMA) project jointly conducted a teacher skills assessment in the TVET schools of Gitwe and Kinazi as part of the preparations for future TVET Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in agriculture. A six‑person team assessed 27 teachers involved in crop production and animal health. The objective was to gain a clear overview of existing competencies, in order to identify which teachers were well positioned to teach in a CoE environment and which could benefit from additional training to strengthen their skills.

The assessment was based on a teacher assessment matrix developed by the ISHEMA project. LuxDev trained RTB staff on how to use the tool, enabling the assessment to be conducted jointly and ensuring a capacity building approach. The matrix scores technical skills in crop and livestock production, as well as generic teaching duties, on a 0–4 scale, ensuring consistency and transparency.

Participation had no impact on career prospects : teachers not selected for future CoEs will continue in their roles within the TVET system as usual. 

Engagement was high, with teachers showing strong interest in the CoEs and preparing thoroughly by submitting detailed CVs highlighting their industry experience outside the education system.

Beyond selection, the exercise provides RTB and ISHEMA with a realistic understanding of current teaching capacity and supports informed decisions for building strong and well targeted CoEs.

The Improving skills for holistic employment in modern agriculture project is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.