Rwanda plans to spend Rwf792.7 billion on education in the current fiscal year – 2024/2025 – with a focus on improving the sector performance and students’ learning, according to information from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN). With such funding, education has by far the biggest share – almost 14 per cent – of Rwanda’snational budget of slightly over Rwf5,690 billion. It is followed by infrastructure sector with a combined budget of more than Rwf579 billion (comprising transport that was allocated Rwf263.4 billion energy, Rwf204.5 billion, and water and sanitation with Rwf111.4 billion); health sector with Rwf376.3 billion, agriculture with Rwf232.3 billion, as per data from MINECOFIN. ALSO READ: Inside Rwf760 billion education budget in 2023/2024 In line with improving quality of education, under the 2024/2025 education budget financial plan, school feeding programme will be strengthened, increasing qualified teachers by recruiting new qualified teachers for primary and secondary. Also, there will be an increase in school infrastructure including classrooms, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) infrastructure. Teaching and learning materials, increase in the use of ICT in teaching and learning through smart education, and promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at all levels of education by establishing ‘smart’ laboratories. ALSO READ: Laboratory shortage ‘could trigger change in national examinations’ There is also facilitating the implementation of the University of Rwanda reforms to improve the quality of higher learning education. Construction of schools’ infrastructures and equipment Project was allocated Rwf7.9 billion, while TVET Schools Infrastructure Development Project was earmarked Rwf14.6 billion. Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development Project was allotted Rwf46.5 billion. The development objective of the Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development Project for Rwanda – which is supported by the World Bank – is to improve teacher competency and student retention and learning in basic education. Its components cover areas including the improvement of teachers’ English language proficiency and digital skills; supporting professional development of mathematics and science teachers; and developing model schools to support innovative instructional practices. Other areas include reducing overcrowding and distance to schools; enriching early learning environment; and supporting gender sensitive teaching and learning environment. In line with strengthening gender equality in the national planning and budgeting processes, the country targets to ensure gender mainstreaming is ensured in national plans and budgets so that it responds to the needs of men, women, girls and boys equally as well as responding to key national gender priorities, including in the education sector. Some of the planned gender priorities for the 2024/2025 fiscal year include programmes such as Education Sector Planning and Coordination, whereby activities such as the construction of two hostels at FAWE [Girls’ School], and increasing the proportion of female and male academic staff with PhD level under Academic Services Management. It is expected that more than Rwf52 billion will be invested on these gender-related activities.
