Kigali, Friday September 6th, 2019: The Ministry of Education held an event to award identified Best Innovations and Best Practices in schools. Alongside the awarding event was also an exhibition of several innovations and practices in education sector. Invitees were able to witness good initiatives happening in schools. The event was organised under the theme “Promotion of Innovation and Best Practices to enhance Quality Education”.

The objective of this initiative to award, was to promote the culture of innovation and creativity in education sector, motivate and recognise students, teachers, head teachers Sector Education Officers’ efforts and other stakeholders involved in advancing education policies and programmes at grass root level.

The Minister of Education Dr. Eugene Mutimura was the guest of honour of the event. Speaking to participants and awardees, he retaliated that the event supports the mission of the Ministry to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human capital for socio-economic development and to ensure equitable access to quality education focusing on combating illiteracy, promotion of STEM, critical thinking and positive values.

“Education sector has shifted from Knowledge Based Curriculum (KBC) to Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) and the results of this shift are what we are here to witness and celebrate today” the Minister of Education further noted.

Dr. Mutimura emphasised that the Ministry of Education is fully commited to supply skills and competencies that are required on the labour market within Rwanda and beyond. “The ever changing market demand in education sector will always requre us to adjust and adapt to best education practices that are relevant to our modern times” He added.

Dr Mutimura said that, this practice of awarding innovators and best practices in education sector will continue. “It shall be an instutionalised culture on a regular basis in the next years. We shall expand its scope and engage many stakeholders. It will be done from basic education through to higher education in partership between the Government of Rwanda, Development partners and private sector’’.

In his opening remarks the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education Dr. Isaac MUNYAKAZI recalled that “the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterised by digital and other new cutting-edge skills and technologies which connect across conventional boundaries, create opportunities for profound social and economic change.” 

“The Innovations are critical in responding to the Fourth Industrial needs and this event can witness the possibility of achieving more in Rwanda’s schools” he added.

The Minister of State also thanked awardees who demonstrated zeal to think the new way of doing things and find solutions to issue confronting education sector and society in general.

The Ministry organised the awarding event to showcase and award Best Innovations and Best Practices identified during the Quality of Education Enhancement Awareness Campaigns that takes place every 3 months, started in February 2018.

Best Innovations and Best Practices identified in schools are in excess of ICT to enhance digital transformation and competitiveness, Promotion of Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Protection, Design and Architecture, Applied Electronics, Robotics and Embedded Systems as stipulated in Rwanda National Transformation Strategy (NST1).

During this awarding ceremony, the Ministry of Education awarded:

i)     Students who have come up with innovations together with their trainers;

ii)   Best Practices featured in some schools that contribute to implementation of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC/CBT);

iii)  Outstanding performing Teachers; Head Teachers; Sector Education Inspectors and also

iv) Best Initiatives.

 END.