The Ministry of Education is seeking to consolidate the four sector qualification frameworks into a single entity called the Rwanda National Qualification Framework (RNQF).

Speaking at a national stakeholders’ validation workshop in Kigali yesterday, Janvier Gasana, the director-general of Rwanda Education Board, said consolidating the frameworks will help to set criteria for mobility and progression of learners.

"Qualification framework is a key in certifying and clarifying learning and career pathways which are crucial for mobility and progression of learners in any education system. It also underscores its role as a tool that describes the main purpose and learning expectations for every qualification given,” Gasana said.

"There is a need for a consolidated qualification framework as it establishes the relationship between different qualifications, which helps in comparing one’s standards with those in other education systems as a basis to study or work elsewhere.”

Dr Innocent Mugisha, the executive director of Higher Education Council (HEC), said the framework will help in offering degree equivalences for those who studied under other education systems.

 "This qualification framework will help to compare our education standards with those of others. It will then help us to compare if the one requesting for an equivalence of a certain qualification has the requirements needed in our qualification framework,” he said.

Up to now, Rwanda has four disjointed qualification frameworks managed by different educational institutions.

They are the Rwanda National Examination Grading System (RNGS) implemented by Rwanda Education Board (REB), Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training Qualification Framework (RTQF) coordinated by Workforce Development Authority (WDA), the Rwanda Qualification Framework for Higher Education implemented by  Higher Education Council (HEC) and National Qualification Framework for Adult Education implemented by REB.

Danny Byiringiro, the head teacher of Groupe Scolaire Butare Catholique in Huye District, said the framework will help students in general secondary education to know where to start once they want to add technical training to general secondary education.

"Sometimes students who pursue general secondary feel restrained to technical education basing on prerequisites considered. But with this consolidated qualification framework, a student will know the level at which they can start,” Byiringiro said.

The envisaged Rwanda National Qualification Framework is expected to be the guideline for education system in the country.

It is planned to come into force in the first quarter of 2016 if approved by Cabinet.