World Bank allocates $200 million to boost basic education in Rwanda
The Government of Rwanda and the World Bank have signed a $200 million financing agreement to improve teacher competency and student retention and learning in basic education (pre-primary through secondary school) in Rwanda.
Through the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), this financing will enhance teacher effectiveness by improving teachers’ English proficiency and digital literacy skills, supporting the professional development of math and science teachers, strengthening the preparation of new teachers in Teacher Training Colleges, and developing model schools to support innovative instructional practices.
The financing will enhance the school environment to improve student learning by reducing overcrowding and distance to schools, strengthening early learning environments (particularly for pre-primary aged children) and supporting gender sensitive learning in schools. Additionally, it will develop the institutional capacity of Ministry of Education to strengthen teaching and learning by strengthening the current teacher recruitment and deployment, school inspection, and learning assessment mechanisms.
“Rwanda intends to become a knowledge-based economy and to achieve this objective, a strong human capital base is critical,” said Uzziel Ndagijimana Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
In order to address the issue of overcrowding in Rwandan schools, 11,000 furnished classrooms and approximately 14,500 gender-segregated latrines will be built across the country through this project, beginning with the most overcrowded schools and including new school buildings for areas where primary schools do not currently exist. This activity will positively impact learning for about 2 million students in more than 1400 targeted schools.
“Without a supportive school environment that includes an adequate number of classrooms and latrines, Rwandan students are limited in the amount they are able to learn. The dedicated efforts of the Government of Rwanda with support from many partners contribute towards student learning,” said Yasser El-Gammal the World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda.
The project has a special focus on strengthening the preparation of teachers in the 16 Teacher Training Colleges in the country and developing a network of 17 fully equipped model schools to develop and test innovative teaching and learning practices to be disseminated to all schools.
Early learning is another major focus with the provision of teaching and learning materials to all government preprimary classrooms and the development of an engaging audio-visual learning program for the youngest children in Kinyarwanda and English. By investing in the foundation of learning and development of Rwanda’s children, the Government of Rwanda aspires to bolster the human capital in the country.
