March 28, 2024

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Rwanda seeks to reduce number of students per teacher to 46 by 2024

The Ministry of Education (Mineduc) believes that reducing overpopulation in the classroom is a prerequisite for quality education that will transform Rwandans into skilled human capital towards the socio-economic development of the country.

Rwanda has done a lot to ensure equitable access to primary education, however a large number of students in one classroom remains one of the challenges that need to be addressed.

The 2018 Education Statistics published by the National Institute for Statistics of Rwanda show that the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level is 56. Muhanga and Kicukiro have the lowest ratio while Kirehe and Rubavu have the highest ratio.

The average of student teacher ratio, primary school for 2017 was 24.31 students per teacher. The highest value was in Rwanda was 57.86 students per teacher and the lowest value was 8.83 students per teacher in Cuba, according to UNESCO, TheGlobalEconomy.com

Alphonsine Nyirandege, a P1 teacher at GS Congo-Nil, Rutsiro District, Western Province said that overpopulation in class is among hindrances of quality education. She has had 139 students- 69 per shift early this month.

“Caring for all children is quite difficult due to the large number in class”, she said

During the celebration of International Teacher’s Day, Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Dr Eugene Mutimura pledged to reduce class size for better learning.

“Mineduc and partners plan to improve the number and quality of teachers so as to get skilled and competent teachers and reduce the number of students per every teacher. This will be done through building more classrooms to fight overpopulation mainly in primary level. We hope to have 46 students per teacher in 2024”, he said.

Dr Mutimura added that once more classrooms are built, the problem of double shifts will be solved and all students will spend the whole day studying.

He vowed regular training to teachers to equip with them necessary skills to give quality education and bring about impact the country wants.

Teachers were asked to change mind-set about using technology as it’s in ICT in education policy. They were also encouraged to promote Sciences and innovation, doing research and share information aiming at promoting education.

The total number of learners registered in the Rwandan primary education system in 2018 was 3,626,362 with 94,699 staff and 13,012 schools, according to NISR( 2018 Education Statistics).

The Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education strives to improve access and quality education, specifically in basic education which will contribute to improve the quality and youth literacy rate from 86.5% (EICV5) to 93.2% (ESSP target by 2024).

By Emmanuel Kanamugire

 

 

 

 

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