English travels the world

Language, education and culture in focus

Rwandaunveiled

life in Rwanda

Rwanda, also known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, is a small yet vibrant country in East Africa known for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and resilient people. Despite its tragic history marked by the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has transformed itself into one of Africa’s most progressive nations.It covers an area of just 26,338 km² (about the size of Belgium) and has a population of more than 13 million. Kigali, the capital, is known for its cleanliness, security and fast-growing economy.

Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009, even though it wasn’t a former British colony. It made this choice to strengthen international ties.

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a map of the country

Rwanda's capital and largest city, called Kigali, is the country's economic, cultural and administrative centre. While leading an important role, it is a fairly new city since it was founded in 1907 and called the country's capital in 1962.

Huye, formerly known as Butare, is often considered the intellectual and cultural heart of Rwanda. It is home to the University of Rwanda, the country’s largest university, and the Ethnographic Museum, which showcases Rwanda’s rich history and culture.

Rubavu is a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking for relaxation and water-based activities. Rubavu also serves as a key border town with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, fostering trade between the two countries.

Nyagatare is one of Rwanda’s fastest-growing cities. Known for its agriculture, especially cattle farming, Nyagatare is the center of Rwanda's livestock industry.

Transition to English

Starting around 2008

Independence & Post-Colonial Era

1962 - 1994

Pre-colonial Era

Before 1884

Timeline

1884 - 1962

Colonial period

2010 - present

Modern era

junior secondary

primary school

pre-primary school

senior secondary

higher education

education

Facts

Fact 1: Rwanda’s education system is divided into pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Fact 2: Education is free and compulsory for the first nine years (6 years of primary and 3 years of lower secondary). Fact 3: The government shifted to English as the primary language of instruction in 2008 to integrate with East Africa and the global economy.

Discussion

1. Rural areas often face a lack of nearby schools or transportation options. How might this discourage children from attending school, especially girls?2. Rwanda switched its language of instruction from French to English in 2008. What challenges might students and teachers face in adapting to a new language, especially in rural areas?3. Many Rwandan schools lack basic infrastructure, such as enough classrooms or desks. What creative solutions could address these shortages?

the English language

Kinyarwanda

Kinyarwanda

Kinyarwanda

ACtualisation

Jan Bakelants uses 431km gravel ride to raise funds for 'proper' education of girls in Rwanda ahead of Road Worlds

Rwanda shifts from French to English as the primary language of instruction in schools and universities. Goal: Strengthen integration with East Africa and the global economy. Rwanda joins the Commonwealth in 2009, despite not being a former British colony. Kinyarwanda is retained as a foundational language in early education, and French remains a secondary language.

Transition to English

Post-genocide rebuilding begins, with a focus on reconciliation and re-establishing education as a priority.

Rwanda becomes part of German East Africa (1884) and later a Belgian mandate after World War I. French and German are introduced as languages of administration and education. Missionary schools are established, promoting Western-style education and the use of European languages, particularly French. Kinyarwanda remains dominant in informal and local contexts.

Colonial period

Rwanda's primary education system is structured to provide free and compulsory education for all children from ages 7 to 12. It consists of six years, divided into lower and upper primary levels. The government has made significant efforts to improve access to education, resulting in high enrollment rates. Since 2008, English has been the official language of instruction in schools, replacing French, as part of Rwanda’s broader shift towards regional integration and global engagement.Despite progress, the system faces challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of trained teachers, and limited resources, especially in rural areas.

Rwanda's junior secondary education, also known as Ordinary Level (O-Level), spans three years, typically for students aged 13 to 15.In junior secondary, students take a broad curriculum that includes subjects like mathematics, science, social studies, languages (with English as the medium of instruction), and technical subjects. The goal is to give students a strong foundation before they proceed to Upper Secondary or vocational training.While the government has taken actions to increase enrollment, challenges persist. Large class sizes, a shortage of qualified teachers, and differences in education quality between urban and rural schools

Rwanda’s higher education system includes universities, colleges, and technical institutions offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational programs. The primary language of instruction is English, reflecting the country’s global orientation. Higher education plays a key role in Rwanda’s development, focusing on areas like science, technology, and business to build a skilled workforce.Though access has expanded in recent years, challenges remain, such as affordability, limited infrastructure, and the need for more qualified lecturers. To address this, the government provides scholarships and supports public-private partnerships to improve the quality and reach of higher education institutions.

Expansion of pre-primary and Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs with multilingual approaches. Technology integration in schools, such as the One Laptop Per Child initiative, emphasizing English for digital literacy. Promotion of Rwanda as a tourism and business hub, where English is essential for international communication. Cultural preservation through efforts to balance English, French, and Kinyarwanda.

Modern Era: Digital Education and Globalization

Rwanda becomes part of German East Africa (1884) and later a Belgian mandate after World War I. French and German are introduced as languages of administration and education. Missionary schools are established, promoting Western-style education and the use of European languages, particularly French. Kinyarwanda remains dominant in informal and local contexts.

Independence and Post-Colonial Era

Rwanda’s Senior Secondary Education, also known as Upper Secondary or Advanced Level (A-Level), lasts for three years and is typically for students aged 16 to 18. This stage follows the Ordinary Level and prepares students for higher education, vocational training, or direct entry into the workforce.In senior secondary, students choose to specialize in specific subjects, often grouped into streams such as sciences, humanities, and technical or vocational fields. The curriculum is more focused, aiming to deepen knowledge in the students' chosen areas of interest. English remains the primary language of instruction.

Kinyarwanda, the native language, is established as a unifying language for communication and cultural identity among the Rwandan people. Education is informal, community-based, and focused on traditional knowledge, values, and skills.

Pre-colonial period

Children can enroll into pre-primary education from the age of three years old. However, there are too few pre-primary facilities for all children to attend. There is also insufficient government budgeting, and teachers are inadequately trained for the job. Because of this, only 18% of children are enrolled in pre-primary school.