Everyone agrees that present time is a wonderful time to be part of the current developments in all aspects of Rwanda's economic life, including advances in education. There are a number of ambitious policies and initiatives leading the way forward. A Clear, robust and realistic plans are in place to implement the Governments Vision 2020. Given below is a brief survey of the educational achievements, challenges and future directions of Rwanda's education sector.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Nine-Year Basic Education for All
The year 2009 saw the introduction of Rwanda's radical Nine Year Basic Education Program (9YBE), which offers six years of primary and three years of secondary education to all Rwandan children free of charge. Before the program was implemented, many Rwandan youngsters were unable to access education, hampering their chances for a good start in life.
Rwanda is close to reaching universal education; today primary school enrolment stands at 97 per cent for boys and 98 per cent for girls – some of the highest enrolment rates in the EA region according to the United Nations’ Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Enrolment in the primary schools has grown from 1,636, 563 in 2003 to 2, 264, 672 in 2009. Enrolment in secondary schools has almost doubled from 179,153 in 2003 to 346, 518 in 2009.
The 9YBE program gained momentum following the recent school construction campaign which saw thousands of new classrooms built across the country by community efforts, with the government contributing construction materials.
Higher Education
The number of HLIs grew considerably in recent years. There are now 29 university level institutions in Rwanda, seven public and 13 private, and nine colleges (two-year) for a combined total population of 62, 491. The public institutions have currently enrolled over 31, 556 students in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate and diploma programs. The 13 private institutions, 11 of which are fully accredited by the National Council of High Education award Bachelor’s degrees, have 30, 935 students currently enrolled. Numbers continue to grow as non-traditional students enroll in part-time evening and weekend programs at many of the institutions.Â
Technical and Vocational Training (TVET)
One of the top priorities of the Government of Rwanda is the establishment of Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) system previously unrecognized as an essential part of the educational system and economic development. The TVET system focuses on filling the skills gap in the lower level essential vocations like building and construction, plumbing, tourism and hairdressing. Keen to link training programs with actual work, the Government approved an integrated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy in 2008.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
The Rwandan government is making a name for itself internationally using cutting-edge ICT technology across all of its ministries, and education is no different. Access to broadband technology will lift all proverbial boat in economic development as it improves school and university access to the internet and thus to the global community.
Teacher training and development
With the introduction of the 9YBE and higher student enrolment, teacher demand has increased. Many existing teachers need additional training (professional and upgrading) in order to meet the new standards imposed by the government. The Ministry of Education has developed a Teacher Development and Management (TDM) Policy, which sets out to enhance the image and the status of the teacher as a qualified dedicated expert, and a vital engine of nation building and development. As a result, the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) was established to produce more teachers for the upper secondary level, two Colleges of Education (CoE) were created to produce teachers for the lower secondary, and eleven Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) were also established to produce primary school teachers.
The Introduction of English as Medium of Instruction
In October 2008, the Government declared English to be the official language of instruction, opening Rwanda up to a world of new opportunities. The switch came after Rwanda became a member of the East African Community, and member states embarked on the process of harmonizing their education curricula, with English the shared language of instruction. It was also a precursor to Rwanda joining the British Commonwealth, in November 2009.
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)
A project called One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) was started with an aim of distributing laptops to primary school students. Up to 8000 computers have been given to government schools and those aided by the government on contract and there are also other 1,600 computers which were purchased by parents who have children in private schools. A total of 100,000 computers were ordered; computers totalling 65,000 are already in the country and they are going to be distributed to schools in the country.
CHALLENGES
A number of key challenges remain, namely:
Lack of funds to maintain a sustainable higher education system. Funding higher education remains a challenge all over the world but especially in developing countries
Insufficient supply of quality textbooks and learning materials across all subjects - The cost of teaching and learning materials is a concern to schools and parents. However, the range of e-learning materials available in Kinyarwanda and English is being expanded and the range of readers in these languages is being improved through encouraging more local authors including teachers to write books for basic education. A major reform of textbook policy is underway.
The financial limitations in recruiting and retaining more qualified teachers and teacher classroom performance - A recent teacher motivation survey reveals that teachers are becoming increasingly concerned about poor job satisfaction and low motivation. This is to a large extent being attributed to the poor monetary rewards and deteriorating standards of living compared to other professionals with the same level of educational attainment. Although most primary school teachers are qualified (97%) few have been trained in the use of modern teaching techniques including learner-centred approaches. The numbers of teachers have increased partly through contract teachers, thus reducing the pupil/qualified teacher ratio from 74:1 in 2005 to 66.7:1 in 2009.
Strategic  priorities for the future
Over the next five years each of these areas will be addressed as a high priority. Strategic interventions will be used where these will continue to address any barriers to basic education. Examples of such interventions include (i) the current double shifting policy, and (ii) the completion of a programme of construction of lower secondary classrooms to support the rapid expansion of student numbers.
Expansion of primary schools to provide full nine years provision will be prioritised where land and finance allow, including expansion to upper secondary education.Â
Given the slow pace of rural electrification, with only 19% of all schools having access to electricity (although in Kigali it is close to 75% of schools), alternative sources of energy will be provided such as solar panels, biogas, wind-up radios and generators where affordable. A major new development will be ensuring better physical access and working environment for special needs pupils, particularly the disabled and visually impaired.
The mission of the Ministry of Education is to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human capital for socio-economic development of the country by ensuring equitable access to quality education focusing on Combating illiteracy, promotion of science and technology, critical thinking and positive values.
Dr Charles murigande is rwanda’s minister of education.
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