Rwanda has replaced hundreds of underperforming headteachers in a nationwide move to improve education quality, with every affected school now having a new appointee, the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) confirmed on January 5, 2025.
The move follows a nationwide evaluation that assessed over 5,200 school leaders, finding that 17% failed to meet minimum standards. As a result, 349 primary school and 541 secondary school headteachers were removed for poor management and governance.
REB’s director of teacher development and management, Ntawukuriryayo Leo Murenzi, confirmed that all vacant positions have now been filled.
“Whenever a headteacher is suspended, we appoint an interim replacement in collaboration with local authorities. About 500 qualified candidates were waiting for deployment. As of January 5, every school has a headteacher,” he said.
The suspended leaders will continue teaching while reforms are implemented to strengthen governance and accountability in schools.
Dr Ngenzi Alexandrite Yusuf, a university of Rwanda lecturer, said the evaluation was timely.
“Some school leadership had failed to fulfill their responsibilities, affecting student supervision. This decision should serve as a lesson for remaining leaders and help reduce underperformance in the future,” she said.
REB deputy director general Dr Flora Mutezigaju explained that the suspensions were based on a thorough assessment at both district and national levels, examining leadership, school vision, management of public resources, and collaboration with parents.
“These measures aim to prevent leadership gaps and ensure no school operates without stable management, especially at the start of the academic year,” she added.
