COMPETENCY-BASED CURRICULUM IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY: IMPLEMENTATION AND PERCEIVED IMPACT ON WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE, RWANDA
Abstract
This study investigated on implementation and perceived impact of competency-based
curriculum in tourism and hospitality on the workforce preparedness in Southern
Province, Rwanda. This study was guided by constructivism theory. The study used
concurrent mixed methods and the respondents (graduates of VTCs) were purposively
selected. Analysis employed descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment
correlation coefficient to establish relationships among variables. multiple regression
was used to identify best predictors of workforce preparedness, and through thematic
approach, qualitative data enhanced the discussions. Graduates from VTCs offering
tourism and hospitality courses in culinary arts level three were happy on how they
were prepared for the workforce. Even though the grand mean revealed positive
perceptions, other important variables that influence the effectiveness of competency
based program were unfavourably perceived by both graduates and hotel managers.
The findings revealed that there is a positive and moderate relationship between
competency-based curriculum implementation and workforce preparedness, therefore,
the null hypothesis was rejected. Teaching-learning process, identification of
competencies and assessment were found to be predictors of workforce preparedness.
The study recommended that MBAROVE’s model be used to guide proper
implementation of competency-based curriculum in VTCs offering tourism and
hospitality courses in culinary arts in Rwanda. The study suggested that a similar
study be done at national level in all TVETs and that the Ministry of Education to
provide trainings to national curriculum developers that enhance global
competitiveness in competency-based curriculum.