The 2026/2027 academic year has officially begun, with students resuming classes for the first term on September 7. The term will run for 15 weeks, ending on December 18. Boarding school students across Rwanda returned between September 3 and 6. As students report to the classrooms, they will encounter a set of reforms set in place by the Ministry of Education to reshape the quality of education for students nationwide. In this article, The New Times takes a look at such reforms: 1. School days restructured to include more time for co-curricular activities A restructured school day designed to create dedicated time for co-curricular activities while improving the effectiveness of classroom learning is set to be implemented this academic year. The move follows research showing that learners' concentration declines significantly after 3:30 p.m., making extended classroom sessions less productive. Formal lessons will now end at 3:30 p.m., after which students will take part in sports, clubs, and other co-curricular activities until 5 p.m. ALSO READ: What co-curricular activities to be integrated into school hours? The change is aligned with Rwanda's Competence-Based Curriculum, which aims to develop learners beyond academic achievement by fostering creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Fridays will also be restructured to give teachers dedicated time for Continuous Professional Development. Students will finish academic activities at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, freeing teachers to take part in professional training and lesson preparation. 2. Public school fees revised Under a revised fee structure taking effect in January 2027, school fees in public and government-aided institutions will increase across the board. Parents of learners in pre-primary and primary schools will now contribute Rwf2,000 per term toward school feeding, up from Rwf975. Day scholars in public and government-aided secondary schools will pay Rwf24,000 per term, up from Rwf19,500, while boarding school fees will rise from Rwf85,000 to Rwf110,000 per term. ALSO READ: Govt adjusts public school fees to match cost of living Officials said the new fees were calculated based on current market realities rather than arbitrary estimates, reflecting adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index and changes in prices over time. School operations are financed through three main sources: government capitation grants, government contributions to the school feeding programme, and parental contributions. According to officials, while these funding sources have kept schools running, the existing contributions no longer reflect the rising cost of goods and services. To help close the gap, the government will raise capitation grants by more than 65 percent, with funding varying according to each school's needs and characteristics. Parental contributions will also be adjusted after remaining unchanged for five years. 3. Stronger disciplinary measures A third reform strengthens discipline in schools, with the Ministry adopting a zero-tolerance approach to indiscipline, alcohol, and drug abuse. ALSO READ: Over 7,000 learners get second chance as national exam retakes begin Under the new measures, any student, teacher, headteacher, or school staff member found using or possessing alcohol or drugs on school premises will face immediate dismissal. Learners found engaging in such behaviour will be removed from school and referred to support programmes in collaboration with local government authorities. The ministry also warned that examination malpractice, fighting, and other serious misconduct will not be tolerated. 4. Reforming Primary Teacher Training Following results released last month, students who qualified for placement in Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) will now begin a five-year programme, replacing the former three-year curriculum. The ministry said the change is designed to strengthen pedagogical training while giving students more practical classroom experience before they begin teaching. Officials explained that the current three-year programme leaves limited time for hands-on teaching practice, leaving many graduates with insufficient exposure to real classroom situations. The revised programme will place greater emphasis on teaching methods, classroom management, child development, and school-based practice. The reform also 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.
