Education Ministry Rolls Out Three-Year Plan to Boost Teachers’ English Skills

Speaking at a consultative meeting with basic education teachers on July 31, Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana reassured educators that those who fail will be supported rather than penalized.

"Those who fail will continue to receive training," Nsengimana said. He added that under new teacher management guidelines issued last year, there is a set benchmark for English language proficiency required for teaching.

“No one will be dismissed simply for failing the English test,” he said. “We’ve given a three-year period to help teachers reach the required level.”

According to Nsengimana, the training program includes an initial assessment to determine each teacher’s current level of English, followed by targeted training sessions over the three-year period. Progress will be reviewed at the end of this timeline.

"This is the first year of implementation," he said. “All teachers will be assessed before undergoing the training so we can identify their level and customize the support they receive.”

He emphasized that teachers who fall short of the required level should not be immediately removed from their positions. Instead, he said, the focus should be on building their capacity.

For new graduates of Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs), Nsengimana said that future hiring will take English proficiency into account. Previously, he noted, English language exams for TTC graduates were not aligned with the level of proficiency needed to teach in English, resulting in many graduates entering the workforce with limited skills.

“The test used to evaluate English proficiency did not meet the level required for teaching,” he said. “That’s why many of our current teachers still struggle with the language.”

Rwanda adopted English as the primary language of instruction in 2008, and Nsengimana said that goal can only be achieved if teachers are fluent.

“When teachers are competent in English, it becomes easier for students to understand,” he said.

The ministry’s plan underscores its long-term strategy to strengthen the quality of education by ensuring that all teachers meet national language proficiency standards, without sacrificing their jobs in the process.