The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra), has provided a new uniform curricula and education materials to support adult literacy programme in the country. 

Education officials said some of their partners had been using archaic and quite different materials, thus undermining consistency of the programme.

Speaking at the curricula launch in Kigali on Tuesday, the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Mathias Harebamungu, lauded the partners who helped in designing the new curricula.

 "The curricula and the books will help harmonise the programme, such that all beneficiaries receive the same package,” he said.

Harebamungu said the programme was broadened to provide more than school knowledge to adult learners.

Currently, Rwanda’s literacy rate stands at 68.7 per cent. Harebamungu said the country’s target is to increase the number up to 85 per cent by the end of next year.

One of the strategies is to involve secondary school leavers in teaching adult learners during their voluntary activities, locally known as Itorero.

"They helped us carry out census of the illiterates and we still need their help. Local leaders in different districts can organise this youthful resource so that they can also help teach their parents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Harebamungu said that teachers who serve in adult literacy will benefit from a fair motivation, which increased from Rwf10,000 this year, to Rwf25,000.

Yvonne Muhongayire, the Rwamagana vice-mayor for social affairs, said the new programme will help learners improve their livelihood because it resonates with daily life.

Jefferson Kern, the country director of Adra Rwanda, said the development is a good move in Rwandan literacy campaign.

"The material gives learners opportunity to practice the theory they learnt in class,” he noted.

Kern said their organisation supported the printing of the material.