It is mandatory for children to obtain education. This is stated in several Rwandan laws. The reason why education is taken seriously, or the mission of education, is explained in article 2 of Organic Law N°02/2011/Ol Of 27/07/2011 Governing Organisation of Education.

The first reason is to provide Rwandans with adequate skills, technical and vocational training which foster self-employment, personal development and development of the country. This, according to the law governing organisation of education, involves designing strategies and programmes improving the quality of education at all levels.

Education is also supposed to promote science, technology and research so that Rwandans have the capacity to speed up the country’s development.

Another purpose that education ought to fulfil is ensuring that Rwandan citizens are educated to the point where they do not harbour any form of discrimination and favouritism. Rather, they should be able to promote the culture of peace, tolerance, justice, respect of human rights, solidarity and democracy.

Another thing that education is supposed to do is ensure that every Rwandan has similar education which is based on morals, science, professionalism, and physical and social welfare. This is expected to promote competence and moral values and to build a nation to achieve sustainable development based on protecting and using rationally its environment.

During the course of education, the law governing organisation of education also positions training Rwandans to be hard working, to perform work properly, be efficient and competent. This will result in Rwanda having the right people who match the level of development.

Education, according to law governing organisation of education, should also result in Rwandans having freedom of thought, being innovative, being analytical towards other people’s opinions, and communicating their own ideas. Educated Rwandans should also be patriotic and should stay updated on what’s happening in other parts of the world.

Another important aspect of education is eliminating all grounds and obstacles that hinder the development of girls’ and women education as well as of any other groups that need special attention.

There are two types of education stipulated in articles 4 and 5 of the law governing organisation of education; education within the family; and formal education.

Education within the family is to be provided by parents, guardians and people who stay with a child whereby they instil knowledge and moral values as early as during pregnancy. Formal education is obtained through different levels of education starting from nursery school to higher education.