The Ministry of Education on Saturday, August 1, announced new reforms that will be rolled out from the 2026/2027 academic year as part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of education and support the country's Vision 2050 aspirations.

The reforms, announced by Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana during a televised discussion on RBA, focus on strengthening teacher training, revising school fees rates, optimizing the school day to accommodate co-curricular activities, and reinforcing discipline in schools.

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The minister said the reforms build on existing education policies and are intended to improve learning outcomes while equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and values needed for the future.

1. Reforming teacher training

One of the major reforms targets Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs). Starting with the next academic year, which starts on September 7, new TTC students will enroll in a five-year programme instead of the current three-year curriculum.

According to Nsengimana, this change is designed to strengthen pedagogical training while giving students more practical classroom experience before they begin teaching.

He explained that the current three-year programme provides limited time for practical teaching experience, leaving many graduates with insufficient exposure to real classroom situations. The revised programme will therefore place greater emphasis on teaching methods, classroom management, child development, and school-based practice.

The minister also noted that the reform aims to raise the qualifications of primary school teachers to match regional and international standards, where diploma or bachelor's degree qualifications are increasingly becoming the minimum requirement.

"The objective is to produce better-prepared teachers who can improve learning outcomes and compete professionally within the East African region and beyond,” he said.

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Implementation will be gradual over a ten-year period. The first phase will upgrade teacher qualifications from A2 to A1 before progressing to A0.

Nsengimana assured current TTC students that they will continue under the existing curriculum and will not be affected by the reforms. Likewise, teachers already in service will retain their qualifications while benefiting from continuous professional development programmes aimed at strengthening their skills.

He added that the ministry is working with the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) to allow students who wish to withdraw from TTCs or transfer into the programme following the policy changes to do so through an organised process.

2. Public school fees revised after five years

The government also announced a revision of school fees for public and government-aided schools, with the new charges taking effect in January 2027, the second term of the academic year.

Nsengimana explained that school operations are financed through three main sources: government capitation grants, government contribution to the school feeding programme and parents’ contribution.

He noted that while these funding sources have enabled schools to function, the existing financial contributions no longer reflect the rising cost of goods and services.

To bridge the gap, the government will increase capitation grants by more than 65 percent, with funding varying according to each school's needs and characteristics. Parents’ contribution will also be adjusted after remaining unchanged for five years.

Under the revised school fees structure, parents of learners in pre-primary and primary schools will contribute Rwf2,000 per term towards school feeding, up from Rwf975. Parents of day scholars in public and government-aided secondary schools will pay Rwf24,000 for as school fees per term up from Rwf19,500, while boarding school fees will increase from Rwf85,000 to Rwf110,000 per term.

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The minister said the adjustments were calculated using current market realities rather than arbitrary estimates.

"These figures were not made up. They reflect adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index and how prices have changed over the years,” he said.

He added that the actual cost of operating boarding schools would have justified fees of up to Rwf120,000, but the government opted to absorb part of the increase to ease the burden on parents.

The implementation date was set for January 2027 to allow parents, guardians and schools sufficient time to prepare.

3. School day to include more activities

Another major change will see the school day reorganised to create dedicated time for co-curricular activities while improving the effectiveness of classroom learning.

Nsengimana said research indicates that learners' concentration declines significantly after 3:30 p.m., making extended classroom sessions less productive. As a result, formal lessons will end at 3:30 p.m., after which learners will participate in sports, clubs and other co-curricular activities until 5 p.m.

The minister said the change aligns with Rwanda's Competence-Based Curriculum, which seeks to develop learners beyond academic achievement by nurturing creativity, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Fridays will also be reorganised to allow teachers dedicated time for Continuous Professional Development. Learners will finish academic activities at 3:30 p.m., enabling teachers to participate in professional training and lesson preparation.

According to the minister, the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) will work closely with schools to support implementation of the new timetable.

He emphasised that improving education is not about extending the number of hours learners spend in classrooms, but about making those hours more effective while creating opportunities for holistic development.

4. Discipline to remain the foundation of successful schools

The fourth reform focuses on strengthening discipline in schools, with the Ministry adopting a zero-tolerance approach to indiscipline, alcohol and drug abuse.

Nsengimana said discipline is the foundation of quality education and that schools cannot provide a conducive learning environment where indiscipline persists. While noting that cases of misconduct are not widespread, the minister said even isolated incidents undermine teaching and learning.

Under the new measures, any student, teacher, headteacher or school staff found using or in possession of alcohol or drugs on school premises will face immediate dismissal.

Learners found engaging in such behaviour will be removed from school and referred to other support programmes in collaboration with local government authorities.

The minister also warned that incidents of fighting, examination malpractice and other forms of serious misconduct will not be tolerated, emphasizing that schools must remain safe, respectful and drug-free environments where learners can thrive academically and socially.