Kigali, 08 September 2023: Hon. Claudette Irere along with Mr Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and Mr Ian Vale, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa for Save the children launched the Zero Out Of School Children (Zero OOSC) Project.

The event was also graced by H.E. Mr. Misfer Faisal AJ-Shahwani, Ambassador of Qatar to Rwanda who witnessed the signing of Framework agreement between MINEDUC and EAA Foundation as well other implementation MoUs between those institutions and Save the Children International Rwanda as the implementing agency.

Zero OOSC is a five-year project initiated by EAA Foundation as part of the foundation’s Zero Zero Out Of School Children approach. The main objective of the project is to reintegrate dropouts back into school and ensure quality primary education for every out of school child.

Speaking at the project launch, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education, Hon. Claudette Irere reiterated Rwanda’s unreserved commitment to ensuring that no Rwandan child is out of school and welcomed the initiative as a valuable addition to the government’s efforts to achieve universal access to primary education. 

Hon. Claudette IRERE, Minister of State for Education

“One of our major priorities is access to quality Education, leaving no child behind and ensuring their retention, transition, and completion throughout the education system. This partnership complements our ongoing efforts of ensuring that no child drops out of school. We look forward to a successful collaboration” Minister Irere said.

The newly launched project is a five-year partnership initiated by the global Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, as part of the foundation’s Zero OOSC approach. To help Rwandan children reach their full potential, the project will engage and empower communities as advocates and supporters. Data will be collected, and methods enhanced to find and identify children who are out of school, including in remote areas of the country.

During his remarks, Mr Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation said that the partnership offers concrete opportunities to Rwanda’s children who have been left out of education. We thank the government of Rwanda, whose commitment will ensure that every single out-of-school girl and boy is given a chance to learn and thrive.

Mr Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation.

Under the Zero OOSC, approximately 177,000 children will be brought back to school. Save the Children Rwanda, the implementing partner, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, will identify and enroll out-of-school children, track their attendance, provide support for enrolment and retention, and help children catch up through remedial classes and emotional support.

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