Post-Genocide Opportunities and Character Education through the Eyes of Youth at Risk of Drugs Use in Rwandan Schools: The Great Paradox?

Abstract

Arguably, one of the major achievements in post-genocide against Tutsi was triumph of unity and reconciliation and democracy over the unjust and unequal past legislation. Since then schools are some of the institutions that unity and reconciliation ideals into their policies, curriculum and other aspects of school life. The post-genocide against Tutsi education policy was formulated with direct links to the Constitution of the Republic. Education is a key sector because it can help the country to develop in Rwandese citizen autonomy of thought, patriotic spirit, a sense of civic pride, a love for work well-done and global awareness. To reverse the dangerous education system of the colonial legacy and instrument of divisionism with independence first (1962-1973) and second (1973-1994) republic, education is tasked as an instrument that should transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human capacity for social economic development of the country, promoting science and technology, critical thinking and positive values. Yet, there are paradoxes in character education prevention and this article explores some of them.