Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente is addressing a joint session of both Chambers of Parliament, on Thursday, April 18, outlining the government's achievements towards improving quality of education at all levels over the past seven years. ALSO READ: Quality education calls for digital transformation of education systems, says ECA boss While acknowledging significant progress, Ngirente has noted there is commitment to further enhance the education system. Key initiatives he highlighted include the expansion of classrooms, implementation of school feeding programs, enhancement of connectivity, curriculum reforms, increased access to educational resources such as books and laptops, and improved access to clean water. ALSO READ: Key changes in the education sector in 2023 Ngirente noted a substantial increase in the number of high schools with a 26 percent rise; from 1,567 schools in 2017 to 1,977 in 2023. Correspondingly, student enrolment saw a significant increase, from 531,377 in 2017 to 729,998 in 2023, reflecting the expansion efforts. The provision of laptops to teachers also saw a remarkable surge, with a 242.4 percent increase, from 4,823 laptops in 2017 to 16,517 laptops in 2023, facilitating enhanced teaching methodologies. Furthermore, infrastructure improvements were underscored, including the rise in high schools equipped with electricity from 940 in 2017 to 1,718 in 2023, along with an increase in internet-enabled schools and the introduction of smart classrooms. ALSO READ: How East Africa could unlock school feeding programme success Budget allocations for primary and secondary education witnessed a substantial rise, from Rwf14 billion in the academic year 2017/2018 to Rwf23 billion in the academic year 2023/2024. Similarly, government contributions to school feeding programmes increased from Rwf6 billion in 2017/2018 to Rwf90 billion in 2023/2024, ensuring improved student welfare. Ngirente also highlighted the recruitment of 132 teachers from Zimbabwe, enhancing the pool of educators proficient in the English system, a move aimed at raising teaching standards. ALSO READ: Ministry calls for parents’ involvement in school feeding programme Addressing concerns of fee discrepancies, Ngirente emphasized the harmonization of school fees, with pre-primary and primary pupils paying Rwf975 per semester, while boarding high school students pay Rwf85,000 and day scholars paying Rwf19,500. Ngirente reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to continuously enhancing the quality of education, ensuring equitable access and fostering a conducive learning environment for all students. Between 2017 and 2023, the number of primary schools increased from 3,932 to 2,877, accommodating a surge in student enrolment from 2.5 to 2.8 million pupils. The number of pupils per classroom decreased from 80 to 57, and subsequently to 46 in 2024, ensuring an improved learning environment. The entry of teachers, rising from 41,573 to 67,539, also bolstered educational quality. The availability of books also increased substantially, with an average of one book now accessible for every two students. ALSO READ: All teachers will have laptops by 2025 - REB boss Additionally, the distribution of laptops surged from 234,409 to 342,785, facilitating digital learning. School connectivity has also expanded, with 2,223 primary schools now equipped with internet access. In high school, notable advancements include an increase in electrification, with the number of schools connected to the national grid rising from 940 to 1,718. Ngirente said that efforts to ensure access to clean water and electricity in all schools continue, with primary schools witnessing significant progress. The number of primary schools with clean water has risen from 1,310 to 2,714, while those with electricity increased from 1,689 to 2,284. Beyond primary and secondary education, he noted that strides have also been made in tertiary institutions. The expansion of vocational training centers (VTC) and technical secondary schools (TSS) has been significant, he said, although progress toward targets is a work in progress. The TSS curriculum has been revamped to align with market demands and there are plans for further improvements. ALSO READ: Parliament approves draft law governing UR, Rwanda Polytechnic In higher education, he noted, the landscape has evolved with the establishment of new programmess and the expansion of existing ones. The University of Rwanda (UR) and Rwanda Polytechnic have undergone reforms to enhance academic offerings and align with national development goals. Noteworthy developments include an increase in graduate numbers from 75,713 to 106,129 and an increase in lecturers, particularly those with PhD qualifications.
