COVID-19 lock-down: Minister Uwamariya on the reopening of schools in Rwanda

Rwanda is gearing up for the reopening of schools after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure a safe learning environment for students, the government is investing more than $200 million in constructing new schools and additional classrooms across the country. This massive investment is part of a comprehensive plan to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and to reshape the education sector to meet the evolving needs of the future. Education Minister, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, shared insights into the government's strategic initiatives during an interview with CNBC Africa. Dr. Uwamariya highlighted that the decision to increase the number of schools and classrooms was necessitated by the understanding that schools cannot remain closed indefinitely. The government embarked on a significant construction project to build over 20,000 new classrooms, including more than 600 new schools. The scale of the project required the recruitment of close to 28,000 new teachers to meet the needs of the expanded infrastructure. The Minister emphasized that the total investment in this endeavor is estimated to be close to 200 billion Rwandan francs and French francs. This substantial funding will enable the government to ensure adequate social distancing within classrooms, provide necessary hand-washing facilities, and maintain a high level of cleanliness across school campuses. These measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and cultivating good hygiene practices among students. In addition to the physical infrastructure improvements, Rwanda is also prioritizing the integration of technology in education. Dr. Uwamariya underscored the importance of leveraging technology, especially in the current context of remote learning and digital connectivity. The government is launching a new initiative called 'smart education' to connect more than 1,600 schools to the internet. This project will not only focus on enhancing connectivity but also on providing necessary tools and training to educators to facilitate online teaching and learning. Furthermore, the Minister acknowledged the essential role of the private sector in supporting these educational investments. Rwanda is actively engaging with the private sector, including technology companies like Huawei, to collaborate on implementing smart education solutions and supplying the required tools for digital learning. By fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders, the government aims to create a robust and sustainable educational ecosystem that can adapt to future challenges and opportunities. As Rwanda prepares to reopen schools starting with higher learning institutions, the concerted efforts in infrastructure development, hygiene protocols, and technological integration demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the educational impact of the pandemic. The government's strategic investments underscore a commitment to ensuring quality education for all students and fostering a supportive learning environment that aligns with global standards of excellence.