Category: Education

In bid to continue supporting the education sector, the Rwandan government is going to invest a lot of money in activities related to it, where this sector is the second that was given a lot of money in the 2022/23 fiscal year.

The Department of Internal Security has the largest budget of Rwf1,717.8 billion followed by the Department of Education with 573.3 billion; Justice, reconciliation, and rule of law with Rwf413.8 billion while the health sector received Rwf365.2 billion.

Of course, this money will be invested in education activities in Rwanda in order to strengthen its quality and develop it.

Although it is expected that more than Rwf249 billion will go to the salaries of those who work in the education sector, there are important projects of priority to promote quality education as highlighted below.

Improving the quality of education by providing modern equipment

The State Minister in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Gaspard Twagirayezu has told IGIHE that increasing the quality of education through the capacity building of teachers, schools, and students are among projects of the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC).

Under this project that will cost more than Rwf6.4 billion, it is planned that tablets will be given to at least 4000 teachers, containing courses prepared in the form that have been researched and proven to be productive.

These are computers that will be provided to public elementary and middle schools that are supported by the government under the 150 contract to increase capacity.

Twagirayezu said that this technology is aimed at improving the quality of education, where the teacher will be able to give lessons based on the manual that is included in the computer, which has all the complete information so that it will increase the level of the child’s knowledge.

“It will also help the teacher to monitor the learning of children and their behavior while they are in class, to be able to identify those who are absent from school, the level of their success. It will also help to monitor the performance of the teacher and his supervisor,” he noted.

It is expected that these materials should be delivered to the schools and begin to be used at the beginning of the first term of the school year 2022/23 which will start on September 26, 2022.

Writing books within the country

As part of the effort to be self-sufficient, Rwanda has started authoring books in a program known as ‘in House texting’ and it is producing results.

The Ministry of Education anticipates that at least Rwf10 billion will be spent every year in order to achieve the desired goals in 2026.

In this fiscal year, the government allocated Rwf5.9 billion for the writing of educational textbooks.

The books that will be provided are related to the subjects of Mathematics, Rwandan, English, French, Intelligence, Social Sciences, Biology, Technology, History, Environmental Science, Business, Swahili, Religion, Education, Music, Arts and Crafts, home science, agriculture and animal husbandry.

The focus is also on the pre-school, primary, and high school levels.

Twagirayezu pointed out that writing books in Rwanda have produced tangible results because more than 14 million books have been produced and it has reduced the gaps and mistakes that used to appear in books written by foreigners.

“After 14,187,817 books were produced, the number of children using one book decreased from nine in 2017 to five as per statistics for the year 2020/21,” he said.

He went on to reveal that the waiting time for the books to reach the schools was reduced since they were imported.

Promoting basic education

MINEDUC has a project that aims to improve basic education in which it will inject nearly Rwf10 billion.

This project will focus on the preparation, use, and implementation of student assessment reports, and campaigning for gender equality in schools.

There is also the establishment of standards for evaluation in primary schools and the first stage of secondary schools, the provision of books and manuals for kindergartens, and the training of teachers in kindergartens.

It is also planned that books for kindergartens and those in the first grade will be digitized, providing materials for learning and teaching mathematics, science, and technology, materials for science teaching in schools such as laboratories, and materials for preschool technology and modeling.

There are also the provision of materials and books in kindergartens, the introduction of technology in English learning materials, the training of teachers in relation to teaching, the use of tests for the placement of school principals, and the preparation and delivery pieces of trainings for teachers of science and mathematics.

At present, the development of primary education has reached an impressive rate, where 98.9% of school-age children are currently in school (primary school).

Among them, the pass rate in primary schools increased from 81.6% in 2019 to 82.8% in 2020/21. Those who go to secondary school went from 53% in 2019 to 56.9% in 2020.

The pass rate in secondary schools increased from 90.6% in 2019 to 92.2% in 2020, all of which is a boost to the development of basic education.

Increase the number of skilled and competent workers

Sometimes, increasing the number of skilled and capable staff may seem counterintuitive because there has been competition, but it is necessary to keep complementing the ability of teachers.

This project will focus on increasing the number of classrooms in schools of excellence and building the capacity of Teacher Training Schools.

Since 2019, teachers have received scholarships for capacity building where about 597 will pursue courses at the University of Rwanda, Rukara and Nyagatare branch.

It is planned that 15,636 teachers will be trained under this budget.

Building schools will cost Rwf16.7 billion

In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, it is planned that 360 rooms will be built in kindergartens and 94 rooms in secondary schools.

At the moment, the overcrowding in kindergarten schools is about 40 students per classroom, 59 in primary school and 40 in high school.

It is an ongoing process to reduce the number of students in one school because the government wants to reduce the number to at least 30 in kindergartens, 46 in primary schools and 30 in secondary schools by 2024.

This year, it is expected that 12 kindergarten classrooms will be built in each district and 94 classrooms up to three in secondary schools in Gasabo, Musanze and Rubavu districts.

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Twagirayezu delivered the message as he officiated the beginning of national exams for candidates from ordinary level, upper secondary school, Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) and Vocational Training Schools (TVETs).

The ceremony took place at Groupe Scolaire Shyorongi in Rulindo District. It was attended by different officials including the Director of General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), Dr. Bernard Bahati and the Mayor of Rulindo District, Judith Mukanyirigira among others.

GS Shyorongi serves as an examination center for different schools including GS Gisiza and École Stella Matutina. Candidates sitting for exams at the school include 157 girls and 59 boys.

The exams follow others for primary school finalists which began a week ago. The Ministry of Education says that the just concluded exams ended successfully with the participation of almost all registered candidates.

Twagirayezu has advised candidates against cheating because preparations of exams involved a transparent process with the participation of different parties including teachers and NESA.

“You have spent three years of studies and preparations for these exams. Besides, your teachers participated in preparations of these exams. Avoid panic, read questions and answer to them attentively. We wish you the best of luck,” said

A total of 429,151 students registered for national exams this year.

These include 229,859 candidates from primary school; 127,469 from ordinary level; 47,579 from the upper secondary school; 21,338 from TVET schools while 2,906 are from TTCs.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya has officiated the start of exams at Groupe Scolaire Nyagasambu in Fumbwe Sector of Rwamagana District which serves as an examination center for 633 learners (including 301 boys and 332 girls) from four schools including Rwamashyongoshyo Parents School, GS Runyinya, Nyagasambu Vision and GS Nyagasambu.

Minister Uwamariya told the candidates to consider the exam as an opportunity giving them chance to be promoted to the next level.

“You have spent six years preparing for this exam allowing you to be promoted to the next level. In fact, it is about preparations to join the category of mature people. This is a good move for you but it is not extraordinary because you have done exams at different times,” she said.

Minister Uwamariya has revealed that learners have had smooth preparations unlike the past two years where studies were affected by COVID-19.

Even though the pandemic has not yet been defeated, Minister Uwamariya observed that this school year went well and ended on time without COVID-19 restrictions suspending studies and expressed optimism for good performance.

She also urged parents and head teachers to make sure that all children participate lest they are deprived of a brighter future.

At least 429,151 finalists from primary, ordinary level and upper secondary school are expected to sit for national exams this year.

Ordinary level exams are scheduled between 26thy July and 2nd August 2022 while students completing the upper secondary school will sit for national exams from 26th July to 5th August 2022.

Besides, candidates from Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) will sit for exams between 26th July and 3rd August 2022 while written exams for students from Vocational Training Schools are scheduled to run from 26th July to 5th August 2022.

At last 254,000 primary school finalists sat for national exams last year.

UNILAK is among private universities in Rwanda reputed for quality education that attracts local and foreign students.

The university receives new students every year including foreigners from African countries pursuing quality education.

Today, the university has close to 200 foreign students from more than 15 African countries including Liberia, Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Mauritania, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Congo, DRC and Angola among others.

Speaking to IGIHE, some foreign students talked about the support received from the school to perform well and socialize with Rwandans and faced challenges.

The representative of foreign students at UNILAK, Prince Fobay has said that they are safe in Rwanda and socialize with colleagues through established network.

He explained that they initially struggled to get familiar with the environment due to barriers to understand Kinyarwanda but have mixed with the society and pursue courses easily and aim high to achieve academic excellence.

“The ultimate goal of a student is to succeed. We are trying as much as we can as Africans to be flexible to changes to strive to be meaningful not only to our mother countries but also to the entire African continent, “he said.

“Students also work hard with courage to pursue studies and exhibit outstanding performance. It is apparent that students are eager to shine and update their research skills,” Fobay added.

Considering the knowledge acquired from UNILAK and support extended to foreigners, Fobay affirmed that he made the right choice and encouraged more students to join the university.

Pricious klede, another student from Liberia studying Accounting at UNILAK revealed that she learnt about UNILAK via internet.

She expressed optimism that acquired knowledge will pave the way for her brighter future.

“After completing secondary studies, I started searching for a university where I had to advance my education. I learnt about Rwanda and UNILAK over the internet. I choose to come to Rwanda because of its serene atmosphere, good culture and security,” she noted.

“I did not integrate easily upon arrival because Rwanda and Liberia don’t offer courses in similar programs. It took me at least three months because lecturers make possible efforts to assist students until they understand. They are also flexible to provide more explanations even during extra working hours,” Pricious added.

Apart from existing courses, she disclosed that the university has started teaching them Kinyarwanda language so that they can be more familiar with the society.

The Dean of Students at UNILAK, Ephron Nyamaswa has said that foreign students are assisted with special attention.

“Normally, a student is our client and the client is a King. We show students that they are coming in the right time and are much valued. We have established a network of foreign students to easily follow up issues that might be hindering their studies or wellbeing,” he noted.

Nyamaswa explained that the gentle treatment makes students feel at home and study comfortably.

“The school becomes the students’ parent when they are far from biological parents. We make possible efforts as much as we can and keep in touch with relatives to ensure their wellbeing,” he emphasized.

Apart from ensuring their wellbeing, the university also helps foreign students to get documents allowing them to study in Rwanda.

As Nyamaswa explained, UNILAK seeks to continue advancing quality education and introduce distance learning.

UNILAK has different branches in Kigali, Nyanza and Rwamagana. It is currently registering students willing to pursue studies in Law, Economic sciences and Management, Computing and Information Sciences and Environmental studies for the next intake expected to begin studies in April 2022.

Dr. Uwamariya made the revelation on Tuesday 2nd December 2021 as she officially opened the 13th Policy Dialogue Forum of the International Task Force on Teachers.

The centre is expected to provide training for primary, secondary school and universities’ management with a view to equip them with relevant skills to carry their tasks efficiently.

“Responding to the question of teachers requires Governments, International Organizations and civil society members to work in synergy and find adequate solutions for teachers together. In this line, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with partners, is in the process of establishing an African Centre for School Leadership, with the aim of supporting Governments in Africa to build capacity in promoting effective school leadership, for improved quality of teaching, and learning outcomes,” said Dr. Uwamariya.

She explained that teachers also benefit from other training programs polishing their competencies especially in ICT.

Dr. Uwamariya also shared Rwanda’s solutions to address emerging challenges in the education sector where teachers were provided with laptops and equipped with relevant skills to continue assisting students through online classes during COVID-19 pandemic.

Some school leaders have revealed that teachers still need more training programs because they have not yet acquired enough skills.

“Many teachers have not yet acquired enough ICT skills but we are grateful that the Government of Rwanda and other partners have expended much effort in teachers’ training to carry out their jobs smoothly,” said Father Jean Paul Mushimiyimana, the head teacher of teacher Training College (TTC) Zaza.

Teachers’ gap

Figures from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that Sub-Saharan Africa alone requires 15 million more teachers to reach the educational goals by 2030 whereby stakeholders need greater investments and innovative approaches to face this issue.

Carlos Vargas-Tamez, Head of Teacher Development at UNESCO’s Task Force for Teachers attributed the gap to two major reasons including meager salary and the nature of teacher’s job.

Carlos Vargas explained that the percentage of national budget allocated to the education sector is still insufficient where it should be between 15 and 20% instead of the current 3 to 6% within all countries.

He revealed that the inadequate budget results into low salaries for teachers and discourages people interested to pursue courses in education.

Teachers play a critical role to advance quality education. However, they need to be provided with an environment that values willingness to take risks and help them improve livelihoods.

Considering their outstanding contribution to the society, the Government of Rwanda has put in place different initiatives to improve their wellbeing, facilitating them to access financial services and salary increment among other social protection programs.

To this end, Rwanda plans to facilitate interested teachers to pursue studies up to Master’s degree with fully paid and non-refundable scholarship.

Among others, the Government has committed to provide half of school fees for students enrolled in Teacher Training Colleges (TTC) after revising existing curriculum.

Students pursuing courses in education at the university will not be required to refund the scholarship as so long as they are serving in the education sector after graduation.

Other incentives for teachers include salary increment to motivate them, improve their wellbeing and subsequently paving the way for quality education.

Since 2019, teachers from secondary and primary schools started receiving 10% annual salary increment. An additional 10 percent was made in 2020.

The increment was also considered in the fiscal year 2021/2022 despite difficult times of COVID-19 the country is going through.

Dr. Uwamariya explained that these incentive programs are expected to attract public’s attention to this profession.

It also goes hand in hand with increasing the number of teachers and reduce students’ overcrowding.

In 2020 academic year, the Government of Rwanda recruited 28,000 teachers and placed more 30,000 in 2021.