Indigenous Knowledge and Vocational Education: Marginalisation of Traditional Medicinal Treatments in Rwandan TVET Animal Health Courses
Date
2021-05-31
Authors
Ezeanya-Esiobu, Chika
Oguamanam, Chidi
Ndungutse, Vedaste
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
LINK Centre, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg
Abstract
This study explores Rwandan ethno-veterinary knowledge and the degree to which this knowledge is reflected in the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) instruction. The knowledge considered is the Indigenous medicinal knowledge used by rural Rwandan livestock farmers to treat their cattle. Through interviews with farmers, TVET graduates and TVET teachers, and an examination of the current TVET Animal Health curriculum, the research identifies a neglect of Indigenous knowledge in the curriculum, despite the fact that local farmers use numerous Indigenous medicinal innovations to treat their animals. The focus of the Rwanda’s TVET Animal Health curriculum is on Western-origin modern veterinary practices. The authors argue that this leaves Rwandan TVET Animal Health graduates unprepared for optimal engagement with rural farmers and with the full range of potential treatments.
Description
Keywords
livestock farming, cattle, animal health, Indigenous knowledge, ethno-veterinary medicine, medicinal herbs, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Rwanda
Citation
Ezeanya-Esiobu, C., Oguamanam, C., & Ndungutse, V. (2021). Indigenous knowledge and vocational education: Marginalisation of traditional medicinal treatments in Rwandan TVET Animal Health courses. The African Journal of Information and Communication (AJIC), 27, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.23962/10539/31372