Teachers across Rwanda have welcomed recent improvements in their welfare, citing a salary increase that has significantly enhanced their living conditions, even as they called for additional measures to further support the profession.
The views were shared during national celebrations to mark International Teachers’ Day, held in Kirehe District on Friday, December 12, 2025. The event brought together about 1,000 teachers and education stakeholders from across the country and was held under the theme “Teaching Is a Profession That Requires Collaboration.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ruhumuriza Esrone, a teacher at GS Korwe in Nyamasheke District, said the annual celebration offers educators an opportunity to reflect on their work and recommit to professional excellence.
“This day allows us to look back at what we have achieved, identify gaps, and renew our commitment to improving the quality of education and our professionalism,” he said.
Ruhumuriza noted that teachers’ morale has improved considerably in recent months, attributing the change to government efforts to enhance teachers’ welfare.
“The recent salary adjustment has made a real difference,” he said. “Teachers today are more motivated and able to work with peace of mind, knowing that their contribution is increasingly being recognized.”
He also recalled past public attitudes that, in his view, undermined the status of the teaching profession, particularly at a time when teachers’ pay remained low.
“There was a time when teaching was openly belittled,” he said. “Today, that narrative is changing. The profession is regaining dignity, and teachers are beginning to enjoy greater social and economic respect.”
Despite welcoming the progress made, teachers used the occasion to highlight areas that still require attention. Among their key proposals was the establishment of dedicated retail outlets—commonly referred to as Mwarimu Shops—that would enable teachers to access essential goods at subsidized prices.
They also called for increased investment in educational technology and for a reduction in student numbers per classroom, measures they said would significantly improve both teaching conditions and learning outcomes.
Rwanda currently has 133,029 teachers serving in 5,041 schools nationwide. Public and government-aided schools account for about 72 percent of all institutions, while men make up approximately 74 percent of the teaching workforce.
As the celebrations concluded, many educators expressed optimism that continued collaboration between government, parents, and development partners would further strengthen the teaching profession and improve the overall quality of education in the country.
