The Ministry of Education has launched a programme to plant more than 202,000 fruit trees in nearly 5,000 primary schools across Rwanda, aiming to improve nutrition, protect the environment and teach children how to care for their surroundings.
The initiative was launched at GS Mayange A in Bugesera District on Friday, November 13, 2026.
The launch was attended by the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Uwimana Consolée, and other officials.
A total of 202,160 fruit trees of different varieties will be planted in 4,996 primary schools, with each school expected to receive 40 trees. Another 232 early childhood development centres (ECDs) will each receive 10 trees.
Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana said the initiative is not only intended to improve children’s nutrition but will also serve as a practical learning opportunity, helping pupils develop environmental awareness while creating greener spaces in schools.
“This is a practical classroom in itself and a source of knowledge that teachers can use to teach pupils. Today, we are planting trees, but more importantly, we are introducing something we want to grow into a lasting culture in our schools: a culture of environmental care, improved child nutrition and learning through practical activities,” he said.
He added that pupils would learn to look after the trees by watering them, observing their growth and monitoring their development.
“They can take care of these trees, water them, observe how they grow and learn how to monitor them. All these are skills that go beyond simply caring for a tree; they are lessons they will continue to use throughout their lives,” he said.
Pupils in Primary Four, together with members of school environmental clubs, will take part in planting, watering, maintaining and monitoring the growth of the trees.
The programme will result in the planting of 202,160 fruit trees in schools across the country. It comes shortly after the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, launched the 2026/2027 tree-planting season on November 7, with a target of planting 100 million trees nationwide.
Activities planned for the season include planting trees and commercial forests, integrating trees into farming systems to control soil erosion and increase agricultural production, planting fruit trees to improve household nutrition, and encouraging communities to protect planted trees through awareness campaigns and training.
