Rwanda has directed École Belge de Kigali, the country’s only Belgian-backed school, to discontinue the Belgian curriculum by September 2025. The decision comes as part of a wider government policy to cut institutional and financial ties with Belgium following a dramatic downturn in diplomatic relations.
In a letter issued this week, Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana informed the school’s board and parent committee that the Belgian educational framework must no longer be in place by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.
“You are advised to begin the necessary steps to transition to an alternative education program,” the minister stated, urging early preparations for the shift.
One School, One Policy
École Belge de Kigali has operated in Rwanda since 1965, educating more than 500 students under a curriculum accredited and funded by Belgium’s Ministry of Education. The school has long served both expatriate families and local citizens seeking international education options.
However, under a March directive, the Rwandan government barred all domestic and international organizations from cooperating with Belgian entities, including the acceptance of financial aid, development grants, or educational subsidies.
Ties Severed
On March 17, Rwanda formally broke diplomatic relations with Belgium, expelling Belgian diplomats from the country within 48 hours. Less than two weeks later, the government extended the fallout by banning all Belgian financial involvement in national institutions.
The diplomatic rupture followed allegations by President Paul Kagame that Belgium was backing international calls for sanctions against Rwanda over its alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kigali has consistently denied these accusations.
New Chapter for Education
The decision places École Belge de Kigali at a critical crossroads. The school must now find a new educational framework to remain operational beyond next year. No replacement curriculum has yet been announced, but the government’s directive leaves little room for negotiation.
The episode reflects a broader redefinition of Rwanda’s foreign policy, as the country seeks to assert greater sovereignty in both diplomatic and institutional affairs. The coming months will be pivotal for the school’s leadership—and for parents—who must now navigate an uncertain transition.