Education Sector

Rwanda has identified human capital development as one of the priority areas for achieving a sustainable knowledge-based society in its long-term development plan, VISION 2050. To realize such plan, Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2013-2018/2024) emphasizes “improved quality education and learning outcomes across primary & secondary” and “qualified and motivated teachers and trainers to meet demands of education access” as prioritized issues among others.

JICA’s intervention in the education sector in Rwanda has been about implementing several projects to improve the quality of basic education by strengthening the capacity of teachers. JICA has introduced the in-service teacher training, promoted continuous professional development to strengthen teaching based on competency-based curriculum, and provided quality pre-service teacher education, etc.

- Type of Cooperation: Technical cooperation project
- Duration: September 2021 to August 2026
- Target: Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs): As of August 2023, TTC Muhanga, TTC Bicumbi, TTC Gicumbi , TTC Rubengera , TTC Mwezi and TTC Zaza, are covered.

- Project Brief:
Ultimate goals of PRISM Project is to improve the quality of mathematics and science lessons at primary schools as for a foundation of knowledge-based economy. To this end, PRISM will enhance mathematics and science and Teaching Methodology and Practice (TMP) at TTCs to foster the quality future primary school teachers. To boost the project outputs, PRISM will make effective use of ICT as much as possible.

- Outputs:
1. Policies, strategies, plans relating to the use of ICT in primary teacher education at TTCs are developed
2. Quality of Math and Science lessons in Science and Mathematics Education (SME) and Early Childhood and Lower Primary Education (ECLPE) is improved with the use of ICT
3. Primary math and science pedagogical skills of student-teachers in SME and ECLPE options are strengthened with the use of ICT

- Achievements:
The use of REB e-Learning Platform (ELP): Among six TTCs tutors have been trained on the use of ELP by PRISM Project. TTC students are using ELP effectively in their studies while simultaneously improving their ICT skills.

-Type of Cooperation: Technical Cooperation Project
- Project Duration: March 2024 - February 2028
- Implementing Agency: Rwanda Polytechnique (RP) through RP Colleges

Background.
The Government of Rwanda has embraced the digital economy as a lever for accelerating growth, improving services delivery, and enabling more work opportunities for Rwandans, especially young Rwandans. The challenge remains the gap between education and the needs of companies/industry. The skills of graduates are not up to the level required by companies/industry, and there is an urgent need to develop human resources that meet the needs of industry.
In order to bridge the gap, JICA in collaboration with Rwanda Polytechnic embarked on project that will collaborate with eight RP colleges and the Rwandan Polytechnic (RP) that oversees them, to develop human resources in line with the needs of industry. In particular, the project will focus on IT-related departments and contribute by developing and implementing curriculum in collaboration with industry.

Overall Goal: RP/RP Colleges' graduates are equipped with the skills that respond to the market demand and valued as a result of strengthened RP/RP Colleges' function to provide high quality education with emerging technology.

Purpose: RP/RP Colleges’ function to provide high quality education is strengthened to respond to the ICT market needs in society.
Outputs: The project has 4 outputs as follows.
Output 1: ICT skill sets that RP Colleges' to be equipped through pilot modules and classes to satisfy the market needs are defined.
Output 2: Pilot modules and classes for prioritized demand skill sets are prepared.
Output 3: The newly developed modules are implemented and monitored at pilot RP Colleges, and the results is utilized for revising the modules/curriculum etc.
Output 4: Implementation mechanisms to improve the modules/curriculum established through Outcome 1-3 will be updated.

-Type of Cooperation: Loan
- Duration: 2022-2025
- Counterpart: The Ministry of Education

Rwanda and Japan, on March 5, 2024, signed a Loan Agreement worth Rwf118 billion (14 billion Japanese Yen) aimed at financing digital transformation in the education sector and ensuring equitable access to quality education.
The financing agreement in the form of a concessional loan also seeks to enhance operational efficiency across primary and secondary levels and foster an enriched learning environment within technical colleges. This loan will further create a synergy effect with the other projects, contributing to making Rwanda, a country where all people have access to quality education.

Objective: The objective of the Program is to promote education digital transformation and to improve students’ retention in primary education. This will be achieved by providing financial support to develop and implement policies of the Government to strengthen Teacher Training Colleges (TTC). Education digital transformation will contribute to promote the socio-economic transformation and the development of globally competitive human resource in Rwanda.

Expected Outcomes: 29 Policy Actions will be implemented. Those include the Education Sector Policy, National School Feeding-Strategy and Financing Strategy, Teacher Development Management Policy, and Operation manual for Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB). According to the plan policy actions will be completed by 2025. JICA is closely collaborate with related ministries namely MINEDUC, MINICT, MINECOFIN, Government Agencies and development partners to achieve the abovementioned Policy Actions smoothly.