Rwanda has recently demonstrated its commitment to educational excellence through remarkable initiatives and reforms. With a focus on improving educational outcomes, the country has successfully raised Rwf 22,587,196 for its school feeding program, showcasing its dedication to supporting students and enhancing their learning environment. Rwanda’s education system, which boasts nearly 99% enrollment in primary education, continues to evolve with significant efforts to address challenges such as foundational skill gaps and dropout rates. This progress highlights Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to advancing education and setting a high standard for educational development.
Noteworthy Fundraising Success
The ‘Dusangire Lunch’ campaign, which kicked off in late June, has rapidly become a key element of Rwanda’s strategy to enhance its school feeding programs. Launched in partnership with Mobile Money (MoMo) Rwanda and Umwalimu SACCO, the campaign invites contributions from individuals, institutions, businesses, and organizations. Rose Baguma, Director General of Education Policy and Analysis at the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) reported that the campaign has so far raised Rwf 22,587,196, with efforts continuing to attract additional support. There is no fixed end date for fundraising, and officials will keep monitoring its progress.
Details and Ongoing Contributions
Baguma highlighted that donations are accepted through various channels including MoMo, Umwalimu SACCO accounts, and X challenges. The government’s major role in funding, oversight, and policy-making is supported by the active engagement of parents and other stakeholders.
Future Enhancements and Community Support
As the new school year approaches, Baguma emphasized the vital role of community support in advancing the program. Planned upgrades include enhancing kitchen facilities, improving equipment, ensuring a clean water supply, and boosting hygiene and food safety practices.
Growth and Government Involvement
Since its expansion in 2021, the school feeding program now serves all students in basic education, increasing the number of beneficiaries from around 600,000 to 4,500,000. Government funding has notably increased from Rwf 27 billion in 2020/2021 to Rwf 90 billion in 2023/2024, leading to a 4 percent drop in primary school dropout rates. The government covers 90 percent of the feeding costs per child, with parents contributing approximately Rwf 1,000 each trimester.
Minister’s Support and Appeal
During the Umuganura festivities on August 2, Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister for National Unity and Civic Engagement, praised the school feeding program for its role in keeping Rwandan children in school. Bizimana urged NGOs, religious groups, businesses, and the public to support the program, emphasizing that reliable access to food is essential for sustaining education.
Reforming Education in Rwanda
Rwanda’s commitment to high-quality education includes implementing free basic education and a competence-based curriculum. While primary education enrollment is impressively high at nearly 99%, many students finish primary school without essential foundational skills.
To address these challenges, Rwanda is working with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and other partners to improve inclusive, high-quality teaching. Efforts include enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy, aligning teaching methods with the curriculum, and training educators in student-centered approaches.
The country also aims to improve timely enrollment and academic progression through community engagement, the construction of additional pre-primary classrooms, early identification of disabilities, and remedial education programs. Improved management of the education sector, including better data collection on gender and disability, will support Rwanda’s goal of effectively serving all students, especially the most vulnerable.
