Dr Ndayambaje Irenée, the Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB) says the move is intended to promote English language, as a medium of education, among Rwandans, adding that all education institutions and stakeholders are jointly working on the implementation plan.
Speaking to IGIHE last Thursday, Dr Ndayambaje reminded that every entrant to higher learning institution will have to pass English test or else keep studying the language at the universities’ language centres which are set to be opened.
He urged the general public especially students at all levels to strive for the highest English proficiency level if they want to be successful on their studies and career journey, noting that university students who fail English test will not appear on the lists of graduands in the near future but the official stood short of précising the exact time.
‘We are closely working with British Council on this programme. The current requirements for one to do TOEL or IELTS in order to continue their studies abroad will be scrapped because our English proficiency test will be at the international standards,” he said, adding
“This means that a university that will not do enough to upgrade its students’ English knowledge will not be helping them to succeed at the end. They must offer English training with a focus on international test. I advise students to use well the language centres because those centres will allow or deny them access to their degrees.”
Dr Ndayambaje said the ICT advancement also presents opportunities for people to coach themselves in different subjects including English language.
He said that students from all higher learning institutions in Rwanda will do the same English test to avoid their movements to different institutions seeking an easier test.
Make English a communication tool at school
Dr Ndayambaje said REB considers initiating mandatory use of English as a communication tool at schools to ensure that students and staff get enough time to practice the language in every aspect of school life.
“REB is also planning to examine every teacher’s English fluency to ascertain if their level is low, medium or advanced. We are alerting people earlier so that they upgrade their level. Teachers have to master English language so that other subjects can also be well delivered. You cannot teach in the language you do not know,” cautioned Dr Ndayambaje.
He said that despite acquiring English for succeeding in tests, people should remember the importance of English as the world’s most used language in international affairs, reminding that Rwanda is a member of different regional and international communities that primarily use English.
Admitting the lack of English fluency among many Rwandan teachers and other educated people, Dr Ndayambaje said changing the strategy will change the status quo.
The 15th National Leadership Retreat (Umwiherero) concluded early last month resolved, among others, that English be taught at all levels of education from primary to university in order to boost the country’s quality of education.
Rwanda switched to teaching in English in 2009 and has so far offered a range of English training to teachers who were used to teaching in French but many are still poorly faring in English.
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