Kigali: The Ministry of Education, in partnership with Education Sector Development Partners convened the 2023/24 Backward-Looking Joint Education Sector Review and the Education Sector Working Group, today. This critical gathering brought together stakeholders to evaluate progress, address challenges, and align strategies for the future of Rwanda’s education sector.

In his keynote address, Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana,highlighted the significance of the event, stating:

“This platform provides an opportunity to come together to assess the successes, challenges, and lessons learned in the education sector over the past year. It serves as a vital forum for constructive dialogue, accountability, and collaborative planning for the future. Today’s event underscores the importance of working together to meet our common goals and offers an opportunity to reflect on priorities and challenges at all levels as we move forward.”

The event brought together representatives from the Government of Rwanda, Development Partners, Civil Society, and other key stakeholders. Their collective involvement underscored the importance of collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility in achieving the education sector’s objectives.

Key Objectives of the Meeting

The review aimed to:

• Assess progress towards the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and Sector Strategic Plans for the Fiscal year 2023/24.
• Finalize and approve the 2024-2029 Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP), aligning it with NST2, while reviewing the Theory of Change, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, and Action Plan.
• Establish priorities for FY 2025/26 and update the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
• Present and validate the Teachers’ Development and Management (TDM) Policy, which seeks to enhance teaching quality and management.

Advancing Teacher Development

The Director General of Policy, Ms. Rose Baguma, highlighted the importance of the Teachers’ Development and Management Policy. This forward-looking initiative focuses on improving teaching quality by addressing key areas, including teacher licensing, continuous professional development, career pathways, and teacher welfare.

The policy also prioritizes the recruitment of top talent into the teaching profession, improving teachers' English proficiency, and addressing shortages in high-demand areas like Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Additionally, it emphasizes integrating ICT into teaching and learning, equipping educators with the tools needed to thrive in a digital age.

Implementation of the TDM policy will be supported by a detailed costed plan, strategic activities, and partnerships with stakeholders, including schools, parents, and development partners.

Key conclusions of the review include

• Validation of the 2024-2029 ESSP, ensuring alignment with NST2, and finalization of the Theory of Change and M&E framework.
• Agreement on sector priorities for FY 2025/26 and the MTEF.
• Final approval of the TDM Policy.
• A unified commitment from stakeholders to implement strategic priorities and objectives.

END.