The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda on Thursday, November 30, celebrated the achievements of the first phase of its Teacher Training Programme in the advancement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the country.

Through the six-year programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in 14 districts, AIMS Rwanda trained over 7,000 teachers, 38 per cent of them women, in innovative teaching methods tailored to addressing gender-related issues in math and science subjects.

The programme also trained more than 1,400 education leaders at various levels, including schools, sectors, and districts, to improve learning outcomes in mathematics and science.

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The programme trained over 4,000 in-service teachers (34 per cent of the women) in pedagogically effective ICT skills to expand digital literacy, including establishing smart classrooms in the 14 districts and two multifunctional smart classrooms at the University of Rwanda’s College of Education.

They also equipped 200 secondary schools with science kits, enhancing practical learning opportunities for students.

"As we contemplate our journey today, it is not only a time for pride in our achievements in STEM empowerment but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment and strive for greater accomplishments in the future,” said AIMS Network President and Rwanda Centre President, Prof Sam Yala.

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He also recognised the programme’s impact on students in the 14 districts.

"When we look at the impact of the programme, we can see a real difference, not only in the number of girls and boys who are joining STEM education, but also in quality and in how confident they feel,” he said.

The programme directly engaged with over 276,000 individuals and indirectly impacted more than 470,000 students through various outreach and teacher training activities.

The Director of Teacher Management at Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), Johnson Ntagaramba, commended AIMS Rwanda for their intervention in promoting STEM education.

"Besides the training of teachers, they have also supported us in curriculum development. The teachers who have been trained in all the 14 districts will also train their peers, so this programme will have a multiplier effect in the whole country in terms of quality education,” Ntagaramba said.

Mastercard Foundation Country Director David Rurangirwa commended AIMS Rwanda for having thought through the programme and putting teachers at the heart of its implementation.

"The teachers are empowered and we&039;re therefore beginning to implement the good things that have been learned through this programme. I call on everyone to support this initiative, let's let not close it let's just start to gather evidence and encourage everyone to jump on the wagon because we are not stopping.”

What next after phase one?

Prof Yala said AIMS and its partners were willing to continue the teacher training programme after the closure of the first phase.

"The core of teaching sciences is conducting experiments. But you students often do not always study by experimenting and yet some experiments do not require fancy equipment. So, the training has really been helpful in that it made us realise that we teach sciences even with limited resources,” said Pauline Mukahiro, a teacher at Groupe Scolaire Busisiro in Rwamagana District.

For Faustin Munyankiko, a maths teacher at Ecole Secondaire Muhororo in Ngororero District, the number of students passing the national exams at the school increased significantly after he had gotten the training.

"Before the training, none of my students had gotten an A grade in maths, but now so many of them now get A grades, and they are among the best performers in national exams, which had never happened in the school’s history,” Munyazikwiye said.

"I wish the programme could continue and benefit more teachers and students beyond the 14 districts. Most importantly, if the programme continues, I suggest they also target students in Advanced Level. That could make a big difference.”

In its commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among educators, AIMS partnered with telecommunications companies (Airtel and MTN Rwanda) to provide monthly internet bundles and Close User Group (CUG) services to more than 5,000 teachers and education leaders.