The Ministry of Education has recognised the country’s best-performing teachers, schools and district as part of this year’s International Teachers’ Day celebrations, held on Friday, December 12, in Kirehe District. ALSO READ: World Teachers' Day: Rwandan teachers speak about passion, challenges Kirehe was named the overall winning district for the 2024–25 academic year after registering a 97 per cent pass rate in primary, 93 per cent in lower secondary, and placing second nationwide in upper secondary with 96 per cent. The top ten teachers recognised for excellence in English proficiency training are Clemence Nshumuyiki from ECD Mageragere, Antoine Mutangana from GS Cyumba, Jean-Claude Hakizimana from GS Kigarama, Emeline Murekatete from GS Rurembo, Jean-Baptiste Nshimiyimana from GS Bungwe, Adeline Umutoniwase from GS Muhororo, Jean-Claude Uwamungu from GS Buye, Marie-Delphine Nyiransabimana from GS Kabare II, Vedatse Nzabonimana from GS Mugina II and Mariette Uwimana from GS Cyarwa. ALSO READ: Teachers call for action on crowded classrooms, salaries and training gaps In general education, the best-performing schools were École Internationale la Racine-Bugesera, FAWE Girls’ School, Cornerstone Leadership Academy, Collège du Christ-Roi Nyanza, Petit Séminaire Saint Jean-Paul II (Gikongoro), GS Ganja-Nyamagabe, GS Gahini-Kayonza, TTC Saint-Baptiste Cyahinda-Nyaruguru, Education Institute Kibeho, and GS Bezana. ALSO READ: What’s behind growing demand for teachers in Rwanda? The ministry also recognised the top performers in the 2025 national Technical Secondary Schools examinations. The best schools by trade were GS Gasetsa in Agriculture and Food Processing, École d’Arts de Nyundo in Arts and Crafts, Nyanza TVET School in Construction and Building Services, IPRC West/TSS in Energy, Kivu Hills Academy in Hospitality and Tourism, Rwanda Coding Academy in ICT and Multimedia, Nyanza TVET School in Manufacturing and Mining, Saint Laurent de Gasake TVET School in Technical Services, and Cyumba TVET School in Transport and Logistics. The Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, said the awards highlight the central role of teachers and called for stronger collaboration across the education sector to improve the working environment and raise learning outcomes. “Kirehe has shown that quality education goes beyond infrastructure. What matters is commitment and active participation from schools,” he said. “A teacher is the backbone of any education system. This moment is not only to appreciate them, but also to reflect on what more can be done to make their work more comfortable and meaningful.” He urged teachers to uphold professionalism and self-assessment. “Everything should prioritise the learner, because they are the future of Rwanda, he said. The Minister also underscored the importance of partnerships in strengthening training, infrastructure and learning outcomes. He encouraged closer collaboration between schools and parents, and called on districts to address school-related challenges more urgently. Teachers speak out Etienne Nsabimana, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at GS Gacuba in Musaza Sector, said higher motivation has been driven by improved salaries, financial support through teachers’ savings cooperatives and consistent supervision. “Recognising the best-performing teachers motivates us to keep improving. It encourages healthy competition and pushes us to aim higher,” he said. Claudine Hatangimana, an English teacher for Primary 5 and 6 at EP Rumuri, said the day reinforces the value of their work. She called for stronger collaboration among parents, schools and local authorities to address persistent challenges such as school dropout rates. “This day shows that our work is appreciated, but we still need joint efforts to tackle the issues that remain,” she said.
