Vision Media

EAC Universities Pledge to Boost Quality and Collaboration in Higher Education

Mugisha R. John — 2026-03-09T17:22:09Z

Universities and higher education institutions across the East African Community (EAC) have committed to working together to improve the quality of education, foster research collaboration, and ease access to scholarships for students from member countries.

The pledge was made during a March 9, 2026, meeting that brought together university leaders, government officials, and students to discuss strategies for enhancing higher education in the region. The event was organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the EAC agency tasked with promoting knowledge and research among member universities.

IUCEA Secretary General Prof. Idris A. Rai said EAC universities share many common strengths that could be maximized through collaboration.

“We want the EAC to be a space where students, lecturers, and researchers freely share knowledge. Joint university initiatives can create sustainable systems that improve employment opportunities across member states,” Rai said.

Rwanda's State Minister of Education, Irere Claudette, emphasized the need for universities to align curricula with rapid global changes and labor market demands.

Dr. Edward Kadozi, CEO of Rwanda's Higher Education Council, highlighted the critical role of universities in national development. “We value knowledge and the programs universities offer, and our governance encourages collaboration, student exchanges, and joint research,” he said.

Rwanda has 38 universities, including four public institutions. The University of Rwanda alone graduates over 9,000 students annually. PhD graduates in the region have risen sharply, from 19 in 2018 to 90 in 2024, reflecting growing research output.

Rwanda Looks to Global PISA Test to Guide Education Improvements

Administrator — 2026-03-03T14:45:36Z

Rwanda is preparing to analyze results from the 2025 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) to evaluate the country's education system and guide future improvements. The Rwanda Education Board (NESA) and its partners recently convened to discuss how to use the international test's findings effectively.

NESA Director General Dr. Bernard Bahati said the discussions aim to help stakeholders understand Rwanda's participation in the PISA 2025 assessment and how the results will benchmark the country against international education standards.

“This initiative is a major step in comparing Rwanda's education quality with global standards,” Dr. Bahati said. “PISA collects not only student test scores but also their perspectives and feedback, which can provide insights to improve teaching and learning.”

Rwanda joined PISA in 2022, and preparations involved multiple activities to ensure readiness. The current phase focuses on processing and analyzing the data. Dr. Bahati encouraged educators and other stakeholders to contribute insights that will help interpret the results and address ongoing challenges in the education system.

The PISA findings are expected to inform Rwanda's five-year education plan, ESSP 2024–2029, which emphasizes universal access, quality education, technology integration, and support for girls and students with disabilities. Dr. Bahati noted that while 95% of children enter primary school, pre-primary enrollment is just 44.7%, and secondary school attendance remains a concern — gaps that could affect PISA outcomes.

The assessment included 18 private schools, two international schools, 81 public schools, and 112 government-supported institutions across the country. PISA, administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), evaluates 15-year-old students in more than 90 countries.

Rwanda's PISA 2025 results are scheduled for release on Sept. 8, 2026. Officials say the findings will provide a critical benchmark for education quality, offering evidence to guide reforms and improve learning outcomes.

Rwanda Boosts School Feeding Budget as One-Third of Population Enrolled in Schools

Administrator — 2026-02-28T11:30:25Z

Rwanda has increased funding for its nationwide school feeding program, reinforcing a policy that provides meals to all students in public and government-subsidized schools as enrollment continues to represent roughly one-third of the country's population.

Data from the Ministry of Education Rwanda shows that in 2025 the country had 5,041 schools serving 4,766,125 students — about 35% of the population. The system includes 4,264 pre-primary schools, 4,108 primary schools, 1,916 lower secondary schools, 981 upper secondary schools offering both cycles, 581 technical and vocational institutions and 120 international schools.

All students receive meals at school. Day students are served lunch, while boarding students in secondary schools receive full-day meals.

Under updated 2025 operational guidelines published in January 2026, government contributions per student have increased. Primary school allocations rose to 219 Rwandan francs (about 16 cents) per child per day, up from 135 francs. Day secondary students now receive 642 francs per day, a sharp rise from 56 francs. Preschool students receive 109 francs daily, according to information obtained by local media.

For the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the government allocated more than 130 billion francs (about $95 million) to the feeding program.

Parents continue to contribute a portion of the cost. Families with children in primary school pay 15 francs per day, or 975 francs per term. Parents of day secondary students contribute 19,500 francs per term, though those unable to pay may provide manual labor at schools instead.

The guidelines require meals to include a balanced diet of cereals or tubers, vegetables, fruits, oils and animal protein, with standardized portions by age group.

Officials say funding increases reflect rising food prices. Urban inflation reached 8.9% in January 2026 compared with the previous year. Authorities credit the feeding program with improving attendance and reducing dropout rates, currently at 5.2%, with a target of lowering it to 4.8% this academic year.

Japan's JICA Marks 20 Years in Rwanda With Focus on Education Gains

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-22T14:39:23Z

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is marking 20 years of operations in Rwanda, highlighting gains in education and skills development as part of a broader partnership between the two countries that dates back to 1962.

Anniversary celebrations were held at TTC Muhanga in Shyogwe Sector, Muhanga District, bringing together government officials, educators, students and development partners to recognize Japan's contribution to improving science and technology education.

Through its volunteer program, JICA has supported the integration of mathematics, science and information technology into teacher training. At TTC Muhanga, the agency has helped establish information and communication technology labs, provided high-speed internet and deployed volunteers to strengthen practical learning.

Students say the support has transformed how they study and prepare for careers in education. Nadine Ikirezi, a second-year mathematics and physics student, said access to internet and modern equipment has made research easier and lessons more interactive. She added that vocational skills training, including soap-making, has also equipped students with entrepreneurship skills that could support them beyond the classroom.

Sixth-year student Elysa Niyonkuru said smartphones provided through the program have expanded students' access to digital learning materials and strengthened their ability to use technology in daily studies.

JICA Rwanda Chief Representative Minako Shiotsuka said education remains a central pillar of the agency's work, particularly in strengthening mathematics and technology instruction. She noted that JICA's activities in Rwanda also extend to agriculture, health and community development.

Since opening its office in Kigali in 2005, JICA has worked with about 400 volunteers in Rwanda, supported more than 30,000 farmers and improved access to clean water for over 740,000 people. More than 1,000 Rwandans have also traveled to Japan for advanced training.

RDF Spokesperson Tells Students Bravery, Patriotism Won Rwanda's Liberation

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-03T08:26:04Z

Rwanda's liberation struggle succeeded because of bravery and a strong sense of patriotism, the spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force told students Monday during an event marking Heroes' Day.

Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga made the remarks at Riviera High School in Kigali's Gasabo district, where students, teachers, school administrators and parents gathered to reflect on the role of national heroes. Rwanda commemorates Heroes' Day every year on Feb. 1.

Rwivanga said the values of courage, unity and love for country enabled those who fought to liberate Rwanda to overcome both military enemies and destructive ideology. He added that wars cannot be won through discrimination or language that spreads hatred.

“A hero is someone who puts others before himself,” Rwivanga said, describing heroism as the willingness to make extraordinary sacrifices for the greater good.

He cited Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema as an example, noting that the senior Ugandan army officer left his position as deputy defense minister to join Rwanda's liberation struggle. Rwigema was killed in the early days of the war in 1990.

Rwivanga said the fighters faced major challenges, including a lack of military equipment, but relied on determination, discipline and a shared belief in their mission.

School officials said Heroes' Day should serve as more than a celebration. Daniel M. Muthee, head of Riviera High School, said the commemoration helps students better understand the country's history and the responsibilities of leadership.

Several students said bravery is a value that applies beyond the battlefield. They said it includes making positive choices, resisting drug abuse and avoiding peer pressure that can lead to harmful behavior.

Sixth-year student Melissa Ineza said encouraging friends to abandon drugs is a form of modern heroism. Another student, Mahirwe Aime Prince, said true bravery means serving the country and doing what is right regardless of others' actions.

Rwanda recognizes its national heroes in three categories — Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi — honoring individuals who made exceptional sacrifices for the nation.

Former Namibia First Lady Launches Pan-African Leadership Lab in Rwanda

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-02T08:20:06Z

Monica Geingos, the former first lady of Namibia, on Friday launched a new Pan-African leadership center in Rwanda aimed at strengthening governance by connecting emerging leaders with seasoned policymakers across the continent.

The center, known as Leadership Lab Yetu, was officially inaugurated Jan. 31, 2026, in Kigali. It is designed to equip young African leaders with practical leadership skills while promoting collaboration between generations to address Africa's evolving political, social and economic challenges.

The launch brought together senior Rwandan government officials and prominent African leaders. Attendees included Rwanda's minister of youth and arts development, Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima; Francis Gatare, president of the African School of Governance; former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou; and Botswana Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe.

Monica Geingos

Leadership Lab Yetu will focus on leaders aged 25 to 45, a demographic increasingly shaping governance across Africa. Its flagship program, the Intergenerational Leadership Accelerator, will run for 12 months and combine online instruction with in-person sessions in Kigali.

Organizers said Africa's governance challenges ranging from rapid population growth to economic transformation require blending the institutional experience of senior leaders with the innovation and technological fluency of younger generations. They emphasized that effective leadership in the coming decades will depend on cooperation across age groups.

The first cohort includes 18 participants drawn from several African countries, including Rwanda. Participants include ministers, lawmakers, senior advisers and local government officials, reflecting a wide range of leadership roles across the continent.

Geingos said the initiative is intended to help prepare Africa's next generation of leaders for global influence.

“The leaders Africa produces in the next decade will shape the direction of the world for the next century,” she said. “They must be equipped with the skills, confidence and values needed to confront complex challenges and deliver solutions that benefit societies at scale.”

In addition to training, the center will conduct governance research, with a focus on youth participation and demographic change, to support evidence-based policymaking across Africa.

Geingos is the widow of President Hage Geingob, who died in 2024 at age 82 while serving his second and final term as Namibia's president.

Kagame, Yonsei University Officials Discuss Strengthening Education Ties

Mugisha R. John — 2026-01-27T16:19:59Z

President Paul Kagame met Tuesday with Yonsei University President Dong-Sup Yoon and Dr. Won-Yong Lee, Yonsei's deputy president for research, to discuss strengthening educational cooperation between Rwanda and the South Korean university.

The meeting at the President's Office in Village Urugwiro focused on expanding collaboration through knowledge exchange, research and capacity-building initiatives, according to a statement released by the office.

Rwanda and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 60 years, with cooperation spanning development, agriculture, technology and education.

In June 2024, Kagame visited South Korea for a working trip during which several cooperation agreements were signed across various sectors.

During the same year, Yonsei University awarded Kagame an honorary doctorate in public policy and management.

Kagame thanked the university for the honor and expressed his desire to deepen ties with Yonsei University.

Rwanda maintains an embassy in Seoul, and South Korea has an embassy in Kigali to facilitate ongoing diplomatic and bilateral cooperation.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Mugisha R. John — 2026-01-26T08:06:33Z

Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Sunday was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Global Health Equity, recognizing her contribution to advancing health, education and social equity in Rwanda and beyond.

Kagame received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from the international health sciences university based in Butaro, in northern Rwanda. She said accepting the degree reflected a shared commitment to health as a fundamental human right.

“I am deeply honored and truly delighted to receive the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree,” Kagame said. “I accept it with a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with it — the belief that health is a fundamental right, a human right, and that equity must remain at the center of how we teach, how we serve and how we lead.”

She described protecting and saving lives as the highest expression of compassion, particularly at a time when violence and conflict are rising globally.

“There is no greater act of love than protecting and saving life,” Kagame said. “In a world where cruelty and conflict are increasing, saving lives is like standing on the front line in the fight for what is good.”

The Doctor of Humane Letters is an honorary degree awarded for exceptional service to humanity, typically recognizing ethical leadership, social transformation and contributions that extend beyond academic achievement. It is among the highest honors a university can confer.

UGHE officials said the award underscores Kagame's long-standing advocacy for health equity and inclusive development, as well as her support for community-centered solutions to health challenges.

The ceremony brought together students, faculty, health professionals and leaders, highlighting the university's mission to integrate education with real-world impact. UGHE focuses on training global health leaders while addressing health disparities, particularly in underserved communities.

University representatives said Kagame's work reflects the values the institution seeks to instill in its graduates — leadership rooted in service, equity and practical action to improve lives.

Government Program Reintegrates Tens of Thousands of School Children

Mugisha R. John — 2026-01-20T10:28:08Z

More than 71,000 children who had dropped out of school across Rwanda have returned to classrooms through the government's “Zero Out of School: Abana bose bige” initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Education with Save the Children Rwanda.

The five-year project identified over 189,000 children who were out of school. Officials say poverty, lack of school materials, and family conflicts are the main reasons for dropouts.

Paulin Ndahayo, project manager, said, “So far, we have managed to bring back over 71,000 children, and we continue to track and support the rest.”

For parents like Solange Nyirahabimana, the program has been life-changing. Her child had left GS Rusheshe Primary School in Kicukiro District due to a disability.

“With the project's support, my child returned to school, and now both my children are happy and learning well,” she said.

GS Rusheshe has reintegrated 26 children who had previously dropped out. School head Jean de Dieu Ntagungira said some students had disabilities or lacked parental support and school materials, which contributed to their absence.

The initiative also partners with Education Above All, a Qatari education organization, to provide resources and support to schools and families.

Officials say the project is helping children overcome barriers to learning and aims to ensure that every child in Rwanda is back in school within five years.

“Education is a key tool for breaking cycles of poverty and social exclusion,” Ndahayo said. “Bringing children back into school benefits not just the child but the entire community.”

Fire Destroys Students' Dormitory at Rwamagana Girls' School; No Injuries Reported

Mugisha John — 2025-11-03T11:50:05Z

A fire on Monday morning destroyed a dormitory at the Institute of Women for Excellence (IWE) Secondary School in Rwamagana District, burning students' property but leaving no injuries, authorities said.

The fire broke out around 10 a.m. while students were in classrooms, according to school officials. The dormitory, which housed about 150 beds, was completely gutted, with mattresses, bedding, clothing, and other personal belongings reduced to ashes.

“No student was hurt because everyone was in class when the fire started,” a school administrator said. “Unfortunately, all the students' belongings were lost.”

The Rwanda National Police Fire and Rescue Brigade quickly responded and prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings. However, by the time it was extinguished, much of the dormitory's contents had already been destroyed.

Parents expressed concern about the losses, saying the incident has disrupted students' learning. “The children were in the middle of the school term,” one parent said. “They have nowhere else to go, and the school has suffered a huge setback. The government should help rebuild and allow learning to continue.”

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Local officials said they are working with the Ministry of Education and partners to support affected students and restore normal learning conditions.

“The good news is that no lives were lost,” a district official said. “We are assessing the damage and coordinating emergency assistance for the students.”

The Institute of Women for Excellence is a prominent girls' secondary school in Rwanda's Eastern Province, known for promoting education and leadership among young women.