The Ministry of Education has announced a set of reforms aimed at improving the quality of education in Rwanda, including upgrading teacher training programmes, increasing school feeding contributions, adjusting learning hours and introducing stricter measures against misconduct in schools.
The changes were announced on Saturday, August 1, 2026, by Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana, who said the reforms are designed to address challenges affecting the education sector and support the country’s goal of building a quality education system.
Some of the measures will take effect in the 2026/2027 academic year, starting on September 7, 2026, while others will be implemented from January 2027.
Teacher training programme extended to five years
Under the new reforms, students joining Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) will spend five years in training instead of three and will graduate with an A1 qualification equivalent to the first level of university education.
Minister Nsengimana said the change aims to strengthen teachers’ qualifications, noting that many primary school teachers currently hold A2 certificates after completing secondary education, which he said is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of quality learning.
The transition will be implemented gradually over 10 years. The first five years will focus on upgrading teachers from A2 to A1 level, while the following five years will support the move from A1 to A0 level.
Nsengimana said the phased approach is intended to prevent a shortage of teachers, as taking all teachers for further studies at once could affect the availability of teaching staff in schools.
The new TTC programme will begin in the 2026/2027 academic year, with students completing three years of secondary education and two years at university level before entering the teaching profession.
He added that teachers already employed will not lose their jobs but will instead receive training opportunities to upgrade their qualifications.
School hours to end earlier
The ministry has also revised school schedules, with students expected to end classroom lessons at 3:30 pm instead of 5:00 pm.
Nsengimana said the adjustment is intended to improve students’ concentration and create more time for activities that complement classroom learning.
He explained that students often become less productive after long hours of lessons, making it difficult for them to effectively absorb new content late in the day.
From Monday to Thursday, students will leave school at 3:30 pm, while Friday afternoons will provide teachers with time for professional activities.
After lessons, students will engage in activities such as sports, debate clubs, discussion groups and other learning-related programmes aimed at reinforcing classroom knowledge.
School feeding contributions to increase
The government will increase funding for the school feeding programme due to rising costs of food and other supplies.
The school feeding programme has become a key part of Rwanda’s education strategy, with authorities linking it to improved attendance, retention and learning conditions.
Starting in January 2027, parents’ contributions will increase as follows:
- Nursery and primary school learners: from Rwf975 to Rwf2,000.
- Day secondary school learners: from Rwf19,500 to Rwf24,000.
- Boarding secondary school learners: from Rwf85,000 to Rwf110,000.
The government will also increase its financial support to the programme, with annual funding expected to rise from Rwf28.8 billion to Rwf48.5 billion.
Nsengimana said the adjustment was necessary because previous contributions no longer reflected current market prices.
Stricter discipline measures in schools
The ministry also announced tougher measures against misconduct in schools, particularly the use of alcohol and drugs.
Nsengimana said schools must remain safe environments and warned that students, teachers, school leaders or other staff found bringing prohibited substances to schools would face dismissal.
“Schools must be places free from alcohol and drugs,” he said, adding that students removed from schools due to serious misconduct would receive support through alternative mechanisms outside the school environment.
The minister said the government would continue strengthening discipline in schools while ensuring that young people receive guidance and support.
The reforms are part of broader efforts by Rwanda’s education sector to improve learning outcomes, strengthen teacher capacity and create a more effective learning environment.
