Rwanda may benefit from Education For All Fast Tracking Initiative (EFA-FTI) fund, a grant from World Bank.

This was revealed during the recent annual joint Review of Education Sector meeting that convened last week and attracted all major development partners in education.

Addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, Education Minister, Dr. Charles Murigande, said that Rwanda has applied for EFA-FTI fund worth US $ 100m to be disbursed within three years.

"If received in full amount, this money will be critical in helping to bridge the financing gap in the sector, to enable us continue our progress in providing quality education accessible to all citizens,” said Murigande.

Murigande said that the supervision of the FTI-EFA fund has now passed from the World Bank to DfID, who remain the lead partner in the education sector.

He says that the fund will support the ambitious Education Sector Strategic Plan 2010-15 that targets different activities designed to put in place a robust education sector.

The document sets out the Ministry’s key goals over the next 5 years which include fast-tracking 9YBE, developing a post-basic education system better tailored to meet labour market needs, developing a skilled and motivated teaching workforce and improving education quality at all levels.

Others include fully establishing English as the medium of instruction, strengthening education in science and technology and integrating ICT within all subject areas.

The Education for All - Fast Track Initiative (FTI) is a global partnership between developing countries and donors to accelerate progress towards the goal of universal completion of quality primary education by 2015.

Partners include more than 30 bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and all low-income countries which demonstrate serious commitment to achieving universal primary education.

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