Published on 14/05/2025
Government of Rwanda has unveiled plans to spend over Rwf7 trillion in the proposed 2025/2026 national budget, with Rwf813 billion earmarked for the education sector, demonstrating a strong focus on advancing learning outcomes through infrastructure, quality teaching, STEM, digital transformation, and language skills.
Infrastructure Development
According to Charles Karakye, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, major construction efforts will include finalizing multi-storey (G+3) school buildings in Gasabo and Rubavu districts at a cost of Rwf5.9 billion, expected to be completed by 2026.
Additionally, Rwf24.7 billion is allocated for renovating and completing Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and model schools, as well as building retaining walls for disaster-prone schools in the Western Province, with support from the World Bank.
Other key projects include completing the Nyagatare Veterinary Lab Complex, building eight TVET Centers of Excellence, and installing security alarms in 100 secondary schools equipped with Smart Classrooms.
Strengthening STEM and Digital Education
To enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, the budget includes provision for 905 science kits for primary schools, 445 science kits and 506 mathematics kits for secondary schools, along with 17,050 laptops to be distributed to 310 schools. These resources aim to bridge gaps in schools lacking science labs and to promote digital learning.
Promoting Quality Education
The government will invest Rwf6.8 billion in the System Transformation Grant Project and Rwf3.6 billion in the School Resilience Project through collaboration with FONERWA.
The Higher Education Council (HEC) will focus on improving quality assurance in polytechnics, accrediting new higher learning institutions (HLIs), evaluating existing ones, and boosting research and innovation.
The Rwanda Education Board (REB) will enhance its digital systems, including E-learning, ICTE MIS and LTM MIS, while training 3,584 science teachers in using science kits and certifying 15,000 primary teachers in pedagogy. Additional training will help early childhood and primary teachers detect and address disabilities.
Language Proficiency
To reinforce language skills, Rwf4.5 billion has been allocated for the National Plan for Teaching and Learning of French. At the same time, REB will continue training teachers in English to align with the national curriculum, which uses English as the language of instruction.
Internet and Teacher Support
Though expanding internet access remains costly, Rwf2.7 billion is set aside to settle arrears and maintain connectivity in 2,593 primary and 895 secondary schools.
The budget also covers salaries for 157 Zimbabwean teachers and 50 OIF volunteers currently working in Rwanda. In addition, 50% tuition fee waivers will continue for students training to become pre-primary and primary school teachers at TTCs to attract more qualified candidates.
Institutional Budget Breakdown
The allocation across education institutions includes:
Ministry of Education: Rwf52.8 billion
HEC: Rwf20.6 billion
REB: Rwf48.3 billion
University of Rwanda (UR): Rwf55.4 billion
Rwanda Polytechnic (RP): Rwf25.6 billion
TVET Board: Rwf25.7 billion
NESA: Rwf17.5 billionCurrently, there are nine ongoing education projects that began in previous years, with some stretching back to 2019 and set to continue until 2030, showcasing the government’s commitment to long-term education development.
