The Minister of Education was quoted in the media, yesterday, assuring the general public that measures had been taken for a successful academic year – 2011. He pointed out the availability of quality teachers, well-equipped laboratories, sufficiently stocked libraries and a generally student-friendly classroom environment.

The new academic year, which kicked off yesterday, marked the beginning of the use of English as the language of instruction for all schools. During the holidays, thousands of teachers were trained in the English language to ensure a smooth transition.

Since the majority of these teachers had already undergone similar training in the past, the latest session was aimed at helping them improve their level of proficiency. Needless to say, embracing English will bring numerous benefits, considering that it’s widely used on the international scene and its dominance in the various blocs where Rwanda is a member, such as, the East African Community (EAC), Commonwealth, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Now that the promotion of English as the language of instruction in schools is on course, the Ministry of Education should put emphasis on the quality of our education.

While mastering the language is very important, it is equally significant that the students leave school with the necessary skills that will enable them to compete favorably on the local and international job markets, as well as, contribute to national development.

And, to ensure that the quality of education is not compromised, it is imperative that the Ministry regularly monitors and evaluates the attainment of quality.

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