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.
Primary and secondary schools are expected to open respectively on 10th and 13th January 2021.
The second term is opening few weeks after Rwanda confirmed the new Coronavirus variant dubbed ‘omicron’ which prompted the country to tighten preventive measures.
Appearing in RBA talk show, Dr. Uwamariya has said that the situation is controllable because many head teachers are aware of recommended health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus at schools.
She however stressed the need to take more strict measures to ensure enhanced protection against the new variant which spreads faster.
“We are lucky that head teachers know how to react when a new case is confirmed at their schools but we still need to be more vigilant and design new strategies to contain the spread of the virus in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Center,” Dr. Uwamariya said.
The Minister reminded teachers that they must have received the booster dose before returning to school as it was recommended by the Ministry of Education recently.
“We have recently urged eligible teachers to have received the third dose before the opening of the second school term. We are hopeful that no teacher will return to school without doing the necessary,” she affirmed.
MINEDUC shows that over 90% of eligible students have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Kigali City.
Among others, students from 14 districts received the first dose in the first school term expected to receive the second dose as they return to school before the program is rolled out to students in the remaining 16 district countrywide.
The ceremony, which took place at Kigali Arena in Gasabo District started with an academic procession including Dr. Carlos Fernando – the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor ,members of the Board of Promoters, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans and other invited guests.
UoK’s Chancellor, Dr. Carlos Fernando Sotz, congratulated the 2021 graduating class adding that “all the successful graduates are a true testimony of UoK’s success and demonstrate the university’s continuous contribution to skills development in Rwanda and across the globe”.
With the main campus located in Kacyiru, next to the plush Kigali Heights, about 3 Kilometers from Kigali City Centre, UoK is a fully-accredited university chartered by the Government of Rwanda.
Following the recent graduation ceremony, the university has opened admissions for the next academic intake 2022 and encourages students not to miss the opportunity to study at one of the leading private higher learning institutions in Rwanda.
UoK with fully-accredited university chartered by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda.
{{Here Are 5 reasons why you must apply to study at UoK in 2022:}}
{{1.World-class Schools, Centres & Academies}}
UoK has 7 world-class and well-equipped schools, 3 centres and 2 academies which use effective as well as globally-acclaimed resources to deliver excellent academic services to students in diverse fields of study.
{{These are:}}
• School of Business and Management
• School of Computing and Information Technology
• School of Education
• School of Law
• School of Professional and Executive Programmes
• Center for Modern Languages (CML)
{{2. Industry-relevant and Globally-recognized Academic Programmes }}
At UoK, you have the opportunity to choose from a plethora of industry-relevant and globally-recognized academic programmes ranging from Undergraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Degrees, Professional and Executive Certificates as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in the fields of Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Procurement & Supply Chain, Computer Science, IT, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, CPA (Rwanda), CPA (Kenya), ACCA, CIPS, CIA, IPSAS, etc.
{{3. Experienced Multi-cultural Human Resource}}
UoK has a multicultural and experienced academic and non-academic staff. Currently, our programme modules are taught by 9 professors and 32 PhD holders in various disciplines, with exposure from different parts of the world and vast experience in both industry practice and academia.
{{4. International Partnerships}}
UoK believes in diversity, creation and dissemination of critical knowledge embedded in the wealth and potential of the region and the world. Consequently, we have partnered with reputable universities and Institutions from Kenya, Uganda, India, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Canada, UK, Poland, Ghana among others to give students and staff international exchange opportunities. Some of our exchange programmes are in Kenya, AIESEC, Erasmus, Erasmus+ and Germany through the support of the European Union.
{{5. Massive International Student Population}}
As a university of choice for international students with a drive towards internationalization and excellence, UoK has an international office which is solely responsible for the welfare of international students from the time of entry till they graduate. Currently, we have students from Angola, Nigeria, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, China, Turkey, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Chad, etc.
{{Testimonials from some of our 2021 Graduates}}
1.Grace Ntihemuka, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing told The New Times that she is grateful for the opportunity to study at UoK, adding that though it was a long and tough journey since she enrolled in 2018, the journey has been worthwhile and she’s well equipped to face the corporate world.
“I am very happy about my experience at UoK and encourage prospective students who are out there looking for a better university to enroll at UoK because they have everything and the university is full of opportunities.
2. Another master’s degree graduate, Evariste Manishimwe said that he is thankful for the university’s support during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that they provided and still provide the best teaching experience to students.
“I enrolled for my master’s programme in 2019, unfortunately, the following year, COVID-19 struck but the university helped us a lot and now we are celebrating our success though the pandemic is not yet over,” he said.
He added that the UoK was his first choice at the time he wanted to upgrade his education and he strongly encourages others to enroll at UoK because it is among the top universities with qualified lectures as well as programmes fit for local, international and global labor.
UoK is welcoming new students as registration is ongoing for 2022 January, May and October intakes. Apply now and be well-equipped to seize the future!
Africa New Life Church, an organization that strives to transform lives and communities through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and through acts of compassion is one of actors supporting this cause following the opening of a new school in Bugesera district in 2020, which offers courses under ‘Accelerating Christian Education’ program.
It is among few schools in Rwanda with such a program developing children’s intellectual capacity through a combination of science and Godly values.
During the ceremony to close the third school term, the Principal of New Life Leadership, Samuel Mukasa explained that the school nurtures students’ brain with Christ-centered education.
Graduates from the program also stand chance to pursue studies in universities from the United States and more than 45 African countries.
He further stated that the program is very unique considering its course packages.
“The program is unique in the sense that it focuses on Christian-centered education and imparts students with relevant skills enabling them to assume different responsibilities. It also helps students to learn with zeal to achieve great ambitions, “he said.
Besides, Accelerated Christian Education program is individualized and non-graded.
It allows students to work at their own level of achievement, which may vary from subject to subject.
The Executive Director of Africa New Life, Pastor Fred Isaac Katagwa has said that the uniqueness of New Life Leadership Academy lies in leadership skills and virtues students are acquainted with.
“Students will graduate from this academy with critical thinking skills. Our holistic approach also helps to educate students and acquaint them with positive attitudes,” he said.
The school has so far enrolled 70 students since it began operations last year with plans to receive not more than 200 to ensure that students continue attending studies in a favorable learning environment.
Katagwa revealed that the program is meant to raise future leaders from a school where faith meets learning.
Meilla Yves was previously pursuing courses under Rwanda Basic Education (REB) program but has moved to New Life Leadership Academy.
He explained that the curriculum of the academy enables him to work hard and understand courses easily.
Africa New Life works with the Government of Rwanda to train teachers and supports more than 10,000 students across the country.
It also has three affiliated schools some of which are located in Kayonza and Kicukiro districts accommodating approximately 1200 students.
Courses under similar program are also offered at six more schools in Rwanda including Life International Christian Academy (LICA), Trinity International Academy, Cornerstone International Christian Academy, New Kigali Life Christian Academy, Faith Foundation Academy and Springville Christian Academy.
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.
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday 23rd November 2021, at GS Paysannat L C, one of the schools hosting refugee students from Mahama camp and others from surrounding communities in Mahama sector, Kirehe District.
Speaking at the event, the UNHCR Rwanda Deputy Representative, Boubacar Bamba, said that this is one of the programmes that the UNHCR, working closely with the Government of Rwanda, is supporting to improve access to inclusive equitable quality education for refugee and host community children through technology that facilitate connected learning in the country.
“Education is a priority for the Government, UNHCR and our partners. It’s important that we take good care of the education process because it is a way for people to learn and be self-reliant later when they achieve their curriculum,” he said.
The new initiative is rolled out in partnership with Profuturo Foundation, a digital education programme created by Telefónica Foundation and ¨la Caixa¨ Foundation to narrow the education gap in the world by improving the quality of education of boys and girls living in vulnerable environments.
The project, implemented by UNHCR and its partners ADRA and World Vision, will equip 15 national schools hosting refugees with ICT equipment such as laptop computers, tablets, projectors, routers and other essential accessories necessary for setting up digital education programme. The schools are located in Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, and Karongi districts. The programme targets around 17,952 students of grades 4-6.
As part of this project, UNHCR has also built and furnished 3 ICT rooms, one each at GS Nyabciwamba in Nyabiheke, Paysannat L-C in Mahama, and at EP Umbano in Kiziba refugee camp.
The Head of ICT in Education Department at REB, Dr. Christine Niyizamwiyitira, lauded UNHCR for renovating and furnishing smart classrooms and for implementing education technology to enhance learning outcomes.
“I call upon our partners to continue supporting basic education with emphasis on empowering ICT integration in education towards the 21st century labor market,” she said.
These include Senior six General Education, Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and Level 5 of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“MINEDUC informs the public, students, and parents in particular that the results of National Examinations for S6 General Education, Year 3 results (TTC), and Level 5 (TVET) will be officially released on 15 November 2021 at 14:00 PM,” the Ministry has revealed via Twitter handle.
At least 52.145 students including 22,894 boys and 26,892 participated in the national exams conducted recently in the school year 2020/2021.
The move follows the publication of results for primary six and ordinary level national exams early October 2021.
The ceremony that took place on Thursday 28th October at Ubumwe Grande Hotel also flagged-off the 2021 edition of the Seeds for the Future training Program that will happen virtually.
The Huawei ICT Academy is a Huawei-authorized project for industry-academy cooperation. It aims to provide students the latest ICT technologies and knowledge, as well as to develop professionals that can meet the requirements of customers and partners from Huawei’s industry chain. It is a non-commercial agreement between Huawei and universities, colleges that brings the latest professional certifications.
This partnership between Huawei, MINEDUC, MINICT and the universities of Rwanda is geared towards ICT talent development in Rwanda.
The ceremony was graced by the State Minister in charge of ICT and TVET, Claudette Irere, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation Yves Iradukunda, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr. Wang Jiaxin and the Huawei Managing Director Yangshengwan.
Iradukunda said that they are willing to work together with companies like Huawei that contribute towards the ICT development of the people of Rwanda. He also encouraged more institutions to join initiative like the Huawei ICT Academy that will quicken the teaching of new ICTs to the students in Rwanda.
Minister Irere stressed the need to reform traditional teaching content in order for Rwanda to keep with the emerging cutting edge technologies in the world today such as 5G and A.I among others.
She also emphasized the relevance to have more certification programs to nurture the available ICT talent.
“As new technologies such as A.I, 5G rise, there is a general need to reform existing one and focus on the new so that we keep up with the times. This starts by reforming traditional teaching content to guarantee that it relates to industry practices. To meet this need our education sector needs to work with private sector such as Huawei to train, skill and jointly develop courses needed by the industry,” she said.
“I believe those will take part will make Rwanda proud as you interact, participate and share knowledge with other students,” added Irere.
She called upon the students to use the seeds for the future program to create networks that will further their ambitions in life and also added that she is honored to flag off the 2021 seeds for the future program.
The Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Jiaxin said that he has witnessed Huawei Rwanda’s seeds for the future program since 2018 till today and he appreciates such initiatives Huawei Rwanda is doing for the people of Rwanda. He stated that such initiatives from Chinese companies in Rwanda till this year also mark a milestone of the 50 years relationship between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Rwanda.
Huawei aims to establish more ICT Academies in Rwanda and with universities in order to skill more ICT talents of the country and contribute to the ICT talent pool. According to the Country Director Huawei Rwanda Mr. Toni Yangshengwan, the company looks to train and certify over 1000 students through Huawei’s various programs in the next two years.
“With the Huawei ICT academy in Rwanda, we aim to connect universities with industry to gain new insight into new technology trends, to open our doors for universities and students to access latest technologies and Huawei online learning resources and enhance student career competitiveness and employment rate among others. We shall train and certify more than 1000 Rwanda students and professionals in the coming years with our recognized ICT professional courses. So we request all universities in Rwanda to open doors for us,” he said.
The Huawei certification courses at associate, professional and expert level include; 5G, A.I, cloud, Wlan, Datacom and IOT among others.
The Seeds for the future program in Rwanda started in 2018 and over 15 Rwandan students have gone to Chine up to 2019. Since 2020, the program was moved online and since then the number of students tripled. This year’s online training program has attracted 30 students from majorly University of Rwanda, Rwanda Polytechnic and also a selection of students through MINICT from other institutions that are not yet Huawei ICT Academies.
This eight day virtual training consists of three hour pre-recorded courses and 13 hours of live stream in technology entry level and advanced sessions such as 5G, A.I and Cloud. The seeds for the future program shall cover hot topics of the tech industry such as cyber security and also give interactive visit sessions to the Huawei’s exhibition halls etc.
Mr. Tonni Yang Shengwan further encouraged the students to attend the virtual training fully for them to be able to graduate, acquire Huawei certification, goodies and internship opportunities.
