Ahazaza Independent School in Muhanga District plans to establish a secondary section, an announcement made during its 20th anniversary celebrations on Sunday, June 28, after expanding from a single classroom to an institution now enrolling over 600 learners. ALSO READ: Muhanga School launches public leisure centre Head teacher François Hamenyimana said the planned secondary section will enable learners to continue with the Cambridge programme after completing primary education, adding that the school will maintain its scholarship programme for vulnerable learners. ALSO READ: Cambridge and national education system: How do the two differ? “For every ten students enrolled, one studies free of charge. Out of our 600 students, at least 60 receive full scholarships,” he said. Representing the Ministry of Education in the Southern Province, Education Coordinator Christophe Nsengiyaremye said the school shows the integration of Rwanda’s national curriculum with the Cambridge curriculum. “Twenty years ago, this school was founded with a vision of changing lives through education. Today, we are witnessing the results of that vision. Ahazaza has demonstrated that quality education is achievable and can produce remarkable outcomes, not only in Muhanga but across Rwanda,” he said. Nsengiyaremye said the institution has become a reference point for curriculum integration in the country. “We appreciate how the school has integrated the Cambridge curriculum with Rwanda’s national curriculum, preparing learners to compete globally while still preserving Rwanda’s cultural values and identity,” he said. He encouraged parents to support learning by providing essential materials such as exercise books and textbooks. Parents said the school’s academic performance, multilingual instruction and international curriculum influenced their decision to enrol their children. Emmanuel Niyonzima, one of the parents, stated that education is a long-term investment, and they chose the school because of the quality of education it provides. Niyonzima said his child still has a long educational journey ahead but believes he has been given a strong foundation that will support his future success. Another parent, Jeanne Mukamisha, said children’s success depends on cooperation between parents and schools, and urged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education and development. During the celebration, Ahazaza NGO Vice President Jean-Baptiste Hategekimana spoke about founder Raina Luff, who died in 2024, noting that the school was established with the mission of providing quality education and that Luff envisioned an institution that would prepare learners for education and work opportunities across the world and maintaining strong values. Luff was a Belgian philanthropist. Since she started the school, it has expanded from a single classroom to 25 classrooms. The school now serves 617 learners, employs 41 teachers, and 11 support staff.
