Rwanda’s early childhood development (ECD) sector is set for a boost as more higher learning institutions prepare to offer specialised training in the field, long dominated by the University of Rwanda. ECD programmes, which support children’s physical, cognitive, linguistic and socio-emotional growth, are widely recognised for improving school readiness, academic performance, and health outcomes. UNICEF notes that the first 1,000 days of life are critical, with over 80 percent of brain development completed by age three. ALSO READ: With all our efforts, all chileren can attain ECD education While Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) have for years prepared students in ECD, graduates have faced limited options for further study. Graduates face bottlenecks Olive Uwiringiyimana, a lower primary teacher in Musanze and TTC Nyamata graduate, said she was ready to continue her studies but could not secure a scholarship at the University of Rwanda, then the only institution offering the programme. “I refused to switch to another programme and decided to wait for an institution that could offer what I was looking for,” she said. For Médiatrice Mukamana, an ECD teacher, the challenge was balancing work and study. She received a bursary to study at the University of Rwanda in 2016 but declined due to her full-time teaching job. “Having more institutions, especially private ones, offering ECD will close the gap and improve quality,” she said. “Some attempts were made in Nyagatare and Ruhango, but they didn’t last.” ALSO READ: Early Childhood Development: Rwanda mulls plan to strengthen support for children with disabilities New College launches ECD International Covenant College (ICC), a faith-based, nonprofit institution, is set to open in Gahanga, Kicukiro District this year after receiving Cabinet accreditation. It will offer diploma programmes in Digital Media Technology and ECD. Dr. Edward Kadozi, Director General of the Higher Education Council, said ICC’s ECD programme is timely. “Early childhood development is a very critical area in Rwanda,” he said. “We still see challenges such as stunting in some communities. Programmes like this train qualified practitioners to work effectively with families and organisations.” Kadozi added that NGOs and community-based organisations working with children also face skills gaps among staff, which such training can address. ALSO READ: First Lady champions early childhood development More institutions expected International Covenant College (ICC) is the first private higher learning institution in Rwanda to offer an ECD programme. Kadozi confirmed that other private universities have expressed interest, though they must complete the accreditation process. Uwiringiyimana and Mukamana hope ICC’s example will inspire more institutions to offer ECD, expanding opportunities for TTC graduates and raising the standard of early childhood education. “When teachers are trained in exactly what they teach, everyone benefits, especially the children,” Mukamana said.
