Government Agencies in Rwanda

The Ministry of Education in Rwanda is responsible for lifelong education and training, and coordinates provision between the government, donors, churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the communities. Rwanda is a member of the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), an intergovernmental organisation that assists with facilitating knowledge exchange between the top East African higher education institutions on issues of quality assurance and standards in technical, industrial, vocational and business training institutions. Direct government bodies that oversee standards in the sector in Rwanda include: the Division of Construction and Equipment, which sets standards for classroom and school construction; the National Examination Council, which sets standards for grades and progression to the next stage of education; the Department of Planning, which implements and monitors standards on system performance indicators; and the General Inspectorate of Education, which inspects and advises on standards adherence and compliance.

Public spending on education was 5.0% of GDP in 2010.

The aim of the national Vision 2020 is to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country in which people are healthier, better educated, more prosperous and united. An important goal of the Vision is comprehensive human resources development, encompassing education, health and ICT skills.

The Ministry of Education’s strategic priorities include abolishing school fees; gender equity; promoting universal primary education; and reducing year-repeats and drop-outs.

Rwanda qualified for the World Bank’s ‘Fast Track Initiative’ – known since September 2011 as the Global Partnership for Education – which is aimed at meeting the education Millennium Development Goals and the Education for All goal that all children complete a full cycle of primary education by 2015. Since 2002, under the initiative developing countries have committed to design and implement sound education plans and development partners commit to align and harmonise additional support around these plans.