Lack of kits, practices hampers education quality among Veterinary students

By Elias Hakizimana.

Veterinary students raise a concern of lack of teaching kits and inadequate professional practices that affect quality of education in that field.

This was revealed by the veterinary students from EFA Nyagahanga Technical Secondary School in Gatsibo district on Saturday, April 24, 2021 during the celebration ceremony of the World Veterinary Day 2021 whose theme was focusing on the veterinarian response in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue of lack of teaching kits is said to delay practical exercises among veterinary students countrywide, which can affect the quality of education and services offered by graduate vet professionals.

Students at EFA Nyagahanga say that they still lack practical knowledge on artificial insemination in Animal Husbandry.

“We only learnt theory but we did not acquire any practice in artificial insemination, they told us that the reason is lack of teaching kits at school. I only remember that one day the school invited trained team to demonstrate how this is practically done but we did not try, it is a very critical question as we can fail to serve the citizens as a consequence.” Said Uzamukunda Philomene, a senior six student in Animal Health Science.

Innocent Dusabimana, headmaster of EFA Nyagahanga Technical Secondary school said that many consequences can arise when a student lack practical training. He explained that the root of the issue is that teaching kits are expensive.

“We are contributing as the school to buy some kits and we request Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD) to give us kind of support in that regard.” He said.

Dr Marie Claire  Tumusabe, the vice chairperson of RCVD said that in their recent school evaluation they assessed many challenges that affect quality of education such as lack of infrastructures.

“In our school evaluation with the Ministry of Education, Rwanda Polytechnic and Rwanda TVET Board, we assessed many challenges but we are trying to see how to help students get enough practical skills.” She said.

RCVD Officials who have organized the celebration ceremony of World Veterinary Day remind all veterinary doctors and Rwandans in general to continue abiding with COVID-19 prevention guidelines as these professionals meet with many people while on duty in treating animal diseases.

Dr. Jean Claude Mwenedata, vice president of Rwanda Veterinary Association highlighted major challenges professionals faced during the whole COVID-19 period where they failed to get animal disease vaccines and other important kits for animal disease treatment.

“Transport was an issue to import kits and vaccines, to date there are some works that we cannot perform because of these issues.” Mwenedata said.

Dr. Alphonse Nshimiyimana, RCVD Executive Secretary encouraged young VET students to increase efforts in leaning in order to protect Animal and public health.

Young VET students were urged to have a job creation mind after graduation than thinking of being employed. They were also tipped on discipline as an important professional value to better serve the community while on duties after graduation.