'I applaud the role BLF is playing to support the learning of English and Maths in early grades in our schools.' - Hon. State Minister for Basic Education, I Munyakazi
Life cycle
2017-23
Country/Region
Rwanda
Client/Partner
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Vision
To improve the quality of teaching and leadership in all of Rwanda’s government primary schools and to increase students’ English competency levels.
Situation
The Government of Rwanda is committed to improving the provision of primary school education, particularly regarding the teaching of foundational skills in maths and the English language, and the transition from mother tongue to English as the language of classroom instruction. Improving the quality of the school learning experience will encourage children, particularly girls, to remain in education. BLF support the government’s ambition through developing the skills of teachers of maths and English, providing professional development training for school leaders, and strengthening Rwanda’s education infrastructure to improve the management and oversight of education reform.
Implementation
The British Council delivered BLF as a member of a consortium led by the Educational Development Trust. We were responsible for the English language teaching component. We provided professional development training and English language training to teachers of English and to teachers of other subjects now required to teach via the medium of English. Training was provided via digital platforms, with face-to-face language training also provided to teachers with low English levels. To build local capacity and project sustainability, we trained and supported school-based teacher mentors; facilitated the organisation of school-based teacher communities of practice so that teachers support each other’s ongoing professional development; and developed and distributed activity books for teachers to use in their English lessons.
Impact
BLF trained and engaged with over 42,000 teachers and improved learning outcomes for approximately 4 million primary school students in 3,200 schools in all 30 districts of Rwanda. Key project achievements include:
- a 59% increase in teaching competency, from 10% at baseline to 69% of teachers reaching benchmark competency at endline, with positive correlations drawn between English teachers observed practice and pupil achievement
- a significant improvement in teacher English proficiency with 49% of teachers reaching the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B1 or intermediate level at endline as compared to 29% at baseline in 2018
- an increase in the proportion of Primary 3 learners achieving grade-level proficiency in English from 17% at 2018 baseline to 54% in 2023, with girls slightly outperforming boys
- development of pupils’ activity books for Primary 2 and Primary 3 learners and distribution of books to schools across the country
Mutual benefit
BLF created multiple collaboration and learning opportunities for Rwandan educators and UK training providers and education experts. This included eight consultancy contracts with five UK consultants and three companies in the fields of ELT materials development, young learner ELT test development, and training and capacity building work. The provision of interactive digital toolkits for teacher self-access learning and remote blended classes raised the profile of the UK as a strong partner for ICT innovation in education.