Out of 3,653 public and government-aided schools, 2,230 are now connected to the Internet in line with the government’s plan to connect all schools, Joseph Nsengiyumva, the Minister of Education, has said.
Speaking during The New Times X-Space, earlier this week, about how Rwanda can raise an AI-savvy generation, Nsengiyumva said, "By December, we hope the majority of schools will have internet access. Additionally, we have introduced smart classrooms to expand the curriculum through digital tools.”
In an exclusive interview with The New Times regarding progress on this target, the Minister reiterated the strides made towards connecting schools. He confirmed that 2,230 schools are already online and emphasized ongoing efforts to meet the year-end target.
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Asked whether the goal of achieving full internet penetration by December is realistic and what strategies are in place to meet this target, Nsengiyumva responded, "The goal is to connect as many schools as possible by the end of the year. While we aim to connect them all, we acknowledge the scale of the challenge. We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure we meet this target.”
He outlined the challenges hindering full internet coverage in schools and how they are being addressed. "For schools without electricity, we are first focusing on getting them onto the electric grid before connecting them to the internet. In some cases, off-grid solutions will be deployed,” he explained.
Nsengiyumva added that several ongoing projects, in partnership with institutions such as the World Bank, UNICEF, and Airtel, are helping to bridge the connectivity gap.
"We also have the Smart Education project under the Ministry of Education, which is playing a key role in connecting schools,” he concluded.
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Consolee Uwamwezi, a Kicukiro resident and mother of three, emphasized the importance of internet connectivity in schools.
"As the country advances rapidly, with technology integrated into every aspect of life, it is crucial for schools to have full internet access. This helps children in many ways, including research, accessing online materials, and integrating AI into their learning,” she said.
Uwamwezi shared a personal story, explaining how her 12-year-old daughter used the skills she learned at school to teach her how to access online information and use social media. "Another thing I love is that she can now do research for her studies even when she’s at home,” she added.
Among the initiatives contributing to school connectivity is Starlink. Alpha Royale Gikundiro, a 16-year-old Senior Five student at G.S. Saint-Pierre Nkombo, described how Starlink’s internet significantly improved their learning environment.
"I started school here in Senior One. Back then, I never imagined entering a smart classroom, as only computer science students in Senior Six had access. But everything changed when Starlink’s internet arrived. Now, every student in the school can access it. I believe we are more innovative and creative than we used to be, thanks to Starlink’s internet,” she said.