The event, scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, aims to increase teachers’ motivation in teaching and learning of science and mathematics and to foster a culture of appreciation for Rwanda’s science and mathematics teachers for their hard work and dedication to teaching Rwandan children.
Commenting on the development, Lydie Hakizimana, AIMS CEO said: “This event recognizes and celebrates the tireless efforts and commitment of our educators in Rwanda, who play a critical role in shaping the future of our nation. We want to involve all in improving mathematics and science education outcomes.”
The AIMS Teacher Training Program organizes the awards to enhance learning outcomes in mathematics and science for secondary school students.
The program offers professional development courses, technology- equipped classrooms, and classroom resources to increase student transition to STEM education and address gender stereotypes that discourage girls from studying mathematics and sciences.
The awardees are chosen from teachers and educational leaders in 14 Leaders In Teaching Initiative (LIT) districts where AIMS RWANDA-TTP is being implemented and schools participating in the Pan African Mathematical Olympiads (PAMO). “Participating in the Teacher Training Program has been a valuable experience for me as it has assisted in enhancing my pedagogy and teaching techniques,” a teacher who won in the past edition shared.
“I was humbled to be acknowledged for my efforts in the field of education and am excited to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of my students,” he added.
The first and second phases of the teacher awards had a significant impact on the education community in Rwanda, particularly in the 14-LIT districts.
During the first edition in 2020, 85 teachers were recognized and awarded for their outstanding contributions to the field of education.
In the second edition of the AIMS teacher appreciation campaign in 2021, the program expanded its activities to include three initiatives: appreciating retired teachers, corporate scholarship fund, and the teacher awards.
A total of 108 teachers and education stakeholders were recognized and awarded various prizes, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Additionally, AIMS-TTP teachers and members of the public organized unique visits to retired science and mathematics teachers across the LIT districts. Thirty-three retired teachers were visited across 9 districts, and gifts worth over 1,500,000 Rwandan francs were awarded to the retired teachers, and 15 teachers were awarded scholarships to pursue further studies at two institutions of higher learning.
The Corporate Scholarship Fund initiative is a partnership between AIMS-TTP, the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Airtel Rwanda, KCB Bank Rwanda, Kibogora Polytechnique, and the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB), offering full scholarships to 43 teachers worth 27 million Rwanda Francs to fund their further studies at two institutions of higher learning.
The 2023 Teacher Awards will be organized in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), and Airtel Rwanda.
{{About AIMS}}
Founded in 2003, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for post-graduate training in mathematical sciences, research and public engagement in STEM.
With centres in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda, AIMS is leading Africa’s socio -economic transformation through innovative scientific training, cutting-edge research, and public engagement.
With expertly tailored academic and non-academic programs spanning through Centres of Excellence, Research Centres, the AIMS Industry Initiative and Gender-Responsive Teacher Training, AIMS equally created two critical initiatives: Quantum Leap Africa, which aspires to do leading-edge research in quantum science, and the Next Einstein Forum, which is positioning Africa to become an important player in global science.
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