Rwanda Unveils Key Education Reforms, Including Higher School Fees Contributions

The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has announced a series of reforms that will take effect in the coming school year, introducing changes aimed at improving the quality of education across Rwanda. The measures include higher school meal contributions, new learning schedules, stronger teacher training, and stricter discipline in schools.

Speaking while presenting the reforms, Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana said the adjustments are intended to help schools provide better services in response to rising costs and to strengthen learning outcomes.

One of the major changes concerns school meal contributions. In primary schools, the annual contribution for meals will increase from Frw 975 to Frw 2,000. For secondary school students, it will rise from Frw 19,500 to Frw 24,000. Boarding school fees will also increase from Frw 85,000 to Frw 110,000, with all the revised charges expected to come into effect in January next year.

The minister called on parents to prepare for the new contributions and remain actively involved in their children's education.

He said: “Parents are encouraged to support these reforms by preparing to pay the required school fees, as failure to do so could undermine the quality of education. Students, on their part, should also avoid harmful behaviours such as assaulting teachers, using drugs, and other forms of misconduct.”

Beyond school fees, MINEDUC announced changes to classroom organization and teacher development. The ministry plans to strengthen teacher training, with the long-term goal of ensuring that all primary school teachers hold at least a Bachelor's degree.

Students will also follow a revised daily timetable. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., they will participate in co-curricular activities such as sports, clubs and other talent-development programs designed to support their personal growth outside the classroom. On Fridays, classes will end at 3:30 p.m. to allow teachers to attend professional development sessions.

The ministry also highlighted findings from the Learning Assessment of Rwanda Schools (LARS), which showed that many learners still struggle to read and analyze English texts, affecting their performance in other subjects. However, the minister noted that progress has been made, with the percentage of students repeating a school year dropping from 30 percent to 20 percent.

MINEDUC further announced tighter enforcement of school discipline. Students found using or selling drugs, consuming alcohol, or committing serious acts of misconduct against teachers or fellow learners could face severe penalties, including permanent expulsion. The ministry also reaffirmed the ban on mobile phones in schools and urged students to respect school rules and their teachers.

According to the ministry, the reforms are part of a broader effort to improve the quality of education and create a more effective learning environment through the combined efforts of parents, teachers and education stakeholders.