Investigating the status and barriers of science laboratory activities in Rwandan teacher training colleges towards improvisation practice

This study aims at investigating the barriers encountered by science teachers in laboratory activities in Rwandan teacher training colleges (TTCs) using questionnaires and interviews. The results confirmed that teachers face barriers like time limitation, material scarcity and lack of improvising skills in their everyday science teaching life. About 95% of teachers who teach in schools with laboratories and only 5% of their peers at schools without laboratory show enough awareness on science laboratory activities. However, in terms of the importance of laboratory experiment and improvisation approach, students had the similar responses in all the investigated schools.Keywords: Barriers, TTCs, laboratory activitie

Lightning Myths versus Science Facts: Traditional Beliefs on Thunderstorm among Rwandans

The paper aimed at revealing lightning myths and traditional beliefs among Rwandans. It provides an overview of their feelings, opinions, and worries as well as facts on thunderstorms using summative-written text and focus-group discussion where about 315 people participated in this research. The conception of the thunder in Rwandan culture was found different from the one we learn from Physics class. For instance, in this study, we found that more traditional beliefs are found in old and non-educated people. Even though some traces are found in intellectuals, however, they are overcome as they become more educated. Though it is believed that witch doctors can traditionally use the term 'thunder' attributed in their activities as the same lightning phenomenon, this occurs in unplanned time and situation, striking their so-called “own enemies”. Overcoming the worries related to traditional beliefs using scientific researchers’ testimonies and safety were also discussed. For instance, though none can be totally safe from a lightning hit, prevention strategies can lessen risks. Thus, avoidance of  lightning damage should be an individual duty and everyone should know daily local weather predictions and harmful consequences.Key words: thunderstorm, lightning myths, traditional beliefs, a witch docto

Origin – cause matrix: a practical approach for identification of waste associated with variation orders

This article has a two-fold aim, namely of reviewing the literature pertaining to waste associated with variation orders and providing a tool for identification of waste zones arising from a variation order. Literature was reviewed about the administration and waste associated with variation orders. Two case studies for the purpose of the study consisted of completed apartment complexes in Cape Town. Variation orders on the respective projects were grouped by number and value in an origin-cause table. The literature review confirmed the likelihood of waste of resources following the occurrence of variation orders. Arguably, the excessive occurrence of variation orders was among factors that contributed to overall higher construction delivery costs and time overruns. By auditing each variation order in terms of the value, origin agent and the cause, it was possible to identify some project aspects that yielded waste of resources. Typically, these were the cost of errors originating from the consultant and the client. The origin-cause matrix could be a tool to provide a breakdown of the probable magnitude of waste associated with variation orders. The study was confined to a limited number of apartment-type construction projects to provide insight into the potential impact of variation orders on project performance. The origin-cause matrix could be a practical tool used to track construction project activities that yield waste. The topic discusses issues that have not been widely covered by previous research studies. The origin-cause matrix was designed as a tool for identification of waste based on a theory of waste formation

Study Practice Lessons and Peer Learning Methods to StrengthenRwandan Science and Mathematics Teaching

No Abstract

Doctoral Student Research Skills: Case of the University of Rwanda – College of Education

Although many universities offer Doctoral programs by research in the field of education, students’ preparation to conduct doctoral research has remained uncertain. This paper reports the knowledge and skills of doctorate students of one college of the University of Rwanda acquired during their initial training on academic and scientific writing in terms of research methodology. We administered a questionnaire to 11 doctorate students before and after the training to reveal the training practices and analysed the content of two research proposals. Results show that participants had a moderate knowledge of educational research methodologies before the program and were improved after the training. We, therefore, concluded that further enhancement of training on research skills amongst doctorate students in education is essential to ensure the production of very knowledgeable and skilful students before engaging in any research for publication. We expect that this paper will contribute to the improvement of Doctoral programmes. Keywords: Academic writing, doctoral research, doctorate students, research knowledge

Why did Rwanda shift from knowledge to competence based curriculum? Syllabuses and textbooks point of view

The present study aimed at analyzing the goodness of competence-based curriculum and usability of textbooks related to this curriculum. It accommodated a sample of 44 national teachers’ trainers (NTs) on Rwandan new competence-based curriculum. The study accommodated a mixed research design where inferential statistics was used and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Using a t-test, the comparison between Knowledge Based Curriculum (KBC) and Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) was found to be statistically significant (at .05 level of significance) in a favour of Competence-Based Curriculum in form of practicability to teachers’ needs and interests, well organization and timing, appropriateness of activities, competences of curriculum developers, carrier guidance as well as market orientation. However, it was found to be loaded as it is in the former knowledge-based curriculum. The textbooks were also compared in form of structure, illustration as well as content. Activities in CBC textbooks were found learner based. Therefore, learners interact  and work together in acquiring skills; however, some contents are too heavy for learners’ level; so activities needed to be broken down to fit learners’ ability and engagement.Keywords: Knowledge-Based Curriculum, Competence-Based Curriculum, Rwanda Education Board, National Trainers, Syllabuses and Textbook

Exploration of Societal Considerations about Rwandan Mathematics Teachers’ Behaviours

There are various myths and perceptions about teachers‟ behaviours in popular culture, whereby some of these behaviours positively or negatively affect learners‟ emotions and decision making. We carried out the present study in Rwanda and employed 79 people of different educational levels and nationalities including pupils, students, bicyclists, motorists and vendors, who were purposively, randomly, and conveniently selected, to explore mathematics teachers‟ behaviours. The study‟s findings put out that in Rwandan society, like in other societies within the region, perceive mathematics teacher as someone with particular behaviours such as being harsh, good at managing time, and with high alcoholic drinks consumption habits, among other attributes. However, compared to the ancient and current mathematics teachers, a significant change has escalated so that today's mathematics teachers are not different from their fellow teachers in terms of their behaviours. The study recommends that teachers should behave responsibly to stimulate their learners. Keywords: mathematics teachers‟ behaviours, myths and perceptions, societal consideration

An assessment of the impact of improvised versus conventional laboratory equipment on students’ performance in thermal expansion

Science education in Rwandan schools still faces a number of challenges including the lack or shortage of equipment available for science experiments. This paper describes research conducted to assess the impact of using improvised versus conventional laboratory equipment in experiments. Eighty-five lower secondary school students were assessed using a semi-experimental post-test design on thermal expansion of bodies. Data analysis using a t-test produced a t-Stat of 2.74 over a t-Critical of 1.98 indicating a statistical significance between the two experimental groups in favour of the group using improvised equipment. As a result, it is recommended that improvised equipment be used in those instances in which there is a lack or shortage of conventional equipment since students’ achievement was similar regardless of the type of equipment used

Ndihokubwayo, Espérance

Esperance Ndihokubwayo said , “I saw horrible things, people were being killed before me, being rounded up before me, being loaded into trucks and transported to the judicial court before me. I was living nearby, they killed them before me and each night I heard people howling and agonizing. I couldn\u27t sleep, I felt so sad. we saw the cars transporting[dead bodies], there were things like pits that they prepared to dump them into, they then piled them full and then covered them with ashes.”https://neiudc.neiu.edu/burundi-oral-histories/1005/thumbnail.jp