The Ministry of Education has revealed that the education sector has been allocated approximately Rwf760 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. This represents a significant increase of 12.5 percent compared to the revised budget of Rwf675 billion for the current financial year. The allocation, which accounts for 15 percent of the proposed Rwf5 trillion national budget for 2023/2024, underscores the government's commitment to improving the quality of education in Rwanda.

During a budget hearing held on Friday, May 12, officials from the Ministry of Education informed members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Budget and Patrimony that the funds would be used to finance various projects aimed at enhancing education. These initiatives include providing academic equipment, implementing a school feeding program, offering university scholarships, and ensuring timely payment of teachers' salaries.

The education sector's budgetary allocation surpasses other sectors, with the agriculture sector receiving a proposed allocation of Rwf154.8 billion and the infrastructure sector earmarked for Rwf630 billion. This substantial investment in education highlights the government's recognition of its crucial role in the overall development of the country.

MP Omar Munyaneza, Chairperson of the Committee on National Budget and Patrimony, emphasized that increasing the budget for the Ministry of Education and its affiliated agencies is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen education and achieve quality outcomes. He stressed the interdependence of sectors, citing the positive impact of well-educated doctors on healthcare provision. Conversely, he warned that inadequate investment in the education of engineers could result in substandard infrastructure projects requiring costly repairs.

Here are four key projects that will receive funding under the education budget:

School Feeding Program

The education sector budget includes an allocation of Rwf78 billion for the school feeding program. This initiative aims to provide meals to students, ensuring they are not attending classes on an empty stomach. However, the Ministry of Education highlighted a funding gap of over Rwf12 billion as the requested amount was Rwf90 billion. The expanded school feeding program, which began in 2021, aims to provide meals to all nursery, primary, and secondary school students, increasing the financial demands compared to previous programs.

Teachers' Salaries

Approximately Rwf364 billion, accounting for 48 percent of the total education expenditure, has been allocated to teachers' salaries. The Ministry of Education revealed a funding gap of over Rwf26 billion to cover the salaries of 8,000 teachers who will be recruited for pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the next fiscal year. The government's focus on promoting pre-primary education, where there is a shortage of teachers, contributes to the increased demand for funding.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

The TVET sector has been allocated funds for various initiatives. Rwf5 billion is earmarked for TVET consumables, while over Rwf7.7 billion has been allocated for training equipment in new TVET wings. However, both allocations face funding gaps of Rwf3 billion and Rwf11.9 billion, respectively. The construction of 27 TVET centers of excellence across 27 districts, with an allocation of Rwf11 billion, is also included in the budget. Partners such as the Exim Bank of Korea and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) will support this project.

Student Scholarships (Loans)

The Higher Education Council (HEC) will grant loans to both new and ongoing students in local higher learning institutions. The allocated budget of Rwf45.1 billion falls short of the required Rwf55 billion.