Bridging the gap between public and private schools is critical to preparing all Rwandan students for a competitive job market, according to the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana.

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While private schools often benefit from better access to technology and resources, the government is focused on ensuring that public and government-aided schools can deliver quality education that meets national development goals and global standards, he stressed in an interview with The New Times.

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He acknowledged the gap, saying: "Private schools tend to have more access, especially to technology and equipment, than public schools. That’s just the reality.”

He emphasized that the government’s focus is not on competing with private schools but on equipping public and government-aided schools to ensure learners are adequately prepared for the real world.

"The government’s mandate is to serve all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay. In basic education, the government covers tuition. While families may pay certain contributions, they are not paying tuition as in private schools,” he explained.

‘The world is getting flatter’

Nsengimana added that although private schools may offer more resources due to higher tuition fees, this should not suggest that learners in public schools are at a disadvantage.

"We want to ensure that students in public and government-aided schools are capable, confident, and ready to thrive, regardless of whether their competition comes from private schools or international systems.”

The country must move beyond local comparisons and aim to prepare students for a globally competitive environment, he said.

"The world is getting flatter. We must focus on delivering quality education that equips students not just to survive, but to thrive,” Nsengimana stressed.

Acknowledging the financial demands of such an endeavour, Nsengimana stated that the government views education as a worthwhile investment.

"Look at Vision 2050. Rwanda aspires to be a middle-to-high-income country built on a knowledge-based economy. That cannot happen without a strong education foundation,” he said.

He cited the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure, pointing to the construction of over 27,500 classrooms between 2017 and 2024 as a clear example.

"That level of classroom expansion is unprecedented. Even partners like the World Bank recognized it and considered sharing Rwanda’s model with other countries.”

Today, every child in Rwanda has the right to go to school unlike before 1994 when education was a privilege.

However, Nsengimana was quick to point out that access alone is not enough.

"We now need to focus on quality. How do we equip students with the right skills and knowledge to contribute to national development, and also secure a good future for them?”

‘It’s been nine busy months, full of learning, adjusting’

Nsengimana who took charge of the ministry of education docket last September stressed the need for a collective effort to improve education outcomes, noting that the responsibility does not rest on the ministry alone.

"When the President asked me to serve, he made it clear that education is a shared responsibility. It involves parents, teachers, school leaders, local authorities, and students themselves,” he said.

He extended an open invitation to all stakeholders: "Let’s work together to make schools engines of transformation, not just for individual lives, but for our country and our continent.”

Reflecting on his transition from the private to public sector, Nsengimana said the experience has been intense and encouraging.

He said: "It’s been nine busy months, full of learning, adjusting, and understanding the challenges within the education system.

"Contrary to perceptions of sluggish bureaucracy, Rwanda’s public sector moves at a surprisingly fast pace. It’s been refreshing.”