2023
EDTECH MONDAY PROPOSES BEST FORMULA FOR EARLY READING AND NUMERACY
29th March 2023
In the classroom, edutainment takes the form of media, games, toys, and experiences that mix fun and learning to motivate pupils, especially in early reading and numeracy.
This tech model of teaching has been suggested at EdTech Monday program which emphasizes use of technology to improve Rwandan education and learning in schools
Aired at KT Radio, the program is conducted every last Monday of the month under the sponsorship of Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT in collaboration with the Rwanda ICT Chamber The March episode was conducted under the theme “Improving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy through Hybrid models of learning ”
“Every lesson should be researched thoroughly. It has been proven that teaching pupils in the form of entertainment is more productive. Children learn codes, and numbers in form of games,” Jean Marie Vianney Karegeya, founder of School nest said “Teachers should be trained to use these IT materials; some don’t need the internet There are games installed that can be used to teach children, but it needs simple skills and research by teachers who should be trained regularly to this effect ”
Karegeya pointed out that to make the learning environment more enjoyable for students, teachers also use gaming in addition to edutainment In the end, these teaching strategies improve learning outcomes and pupil retention.
The efforts follow high rates of pupils who cannot read or do simple numeracy at the age of 10 years, in Africa.
By the age of 10, nearly nine out of ten children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and comprehend a basic text, according to the State of Global Education Update for 2023, from the World Bank More so, 70% of people worldwide are unable to complete this job, up from 57% prior to the COVID-19 pandemic “In Rwanda, enrollment figures are good, above 96%, but there should be quality education and the way to go is technology in teaching
Technology improves three main things; school management, model of teaching and skills on lesson delivery,” Clement Uwajeneza, Managing Director of RwandaEQUIP said “We do the research and provide teachers with digital teaching materials. It has been researched and it works. It makes teaching easy for a teacher, but a child learns easily in the form of games and entertainment,” Uwajeneza added
According to Uwajeneza, RwandaEQUIP works with 250 public and government aided schools and gives digital teaching materials (tablets) to over 7000 teachers across the country
In Rwanda, the literacy rate is increasing gradually in addition to the need for additional initiatives to promote reading culture in Africa Only 58% of adults over the age of 15 were educated in 1991 In 2018, the percentage rose to 73%
“It all starts with the youth; they should be able to invent these technologies and put them on market This is what we do, they bring their ideas and tech mentors help to formulate them into IT solutions We have all the categories starting from 5 years old to university students,” Consolatrice Byiringiro, Future Coders Program Coordinator at kLab Rwanda said
“They have different lessons, specifically children with five years old are taught gamification This teaches them codes but in the form of games This is an opportunity for them, some come before learning how to read so they learn reading in the form of entertainment.”
Uko ikoranabuhanga riri guhindura imiterere y’akazi ka mwarimu
18th February 2023
Abarimu n’abayobozi bo mu bigo biri kugereragerezwamo uburyo bushya bwo kwigisha
hakoreshejwe ikoranabuhanga, bashima iyi gahunda kuko ituma barushaho gushyira umutima ku kazi bikagira uruhare mu kuzamura ireme ry’uburezi.
Muri Kamena 2020 nibwo Inama y’abaminisitiri yemeje umushinga wa Bridge International Academies ugamije guteza imbere uburezi mu Rwanda (RwandaEQUIP)
hifashishijwe ikoranabuhanga mu kunoza imyigishirize n’imyigire y’abana biga mu mashuri y’inshuke n’abanza
Nyuma yo kwemeza uyu mushinga hakurikiyeho gushaka ibikoresho no gushaka abakozi bazafasha mu ishyirwa mu bikorwa ryawo Iyi gahunda Rwanda Education Quality Improvement Program (RwandaEQUIP) yatangiye mu 2022
Abarimu n’abayobozi bo mu bigo by’amashuri barenga 7000 bahawe amahugurwa ku buryo bugezweho bw’imyigishirize. Abayobozi b’ibigo by’amashuri bahabwa “smart phones” zirimo Ikoranabuhanga (applications) rituma babona amakuru abafasha mu gucunga neza ishuri ndetse
bakanakurikirana imyigire y’abanyeshuri
Ishuri ribanza rya Rubengera ni rimwe mu mashuri 20 yo mu karere
ka Karongi ari kugeragerezwamo
gahunda ya Rwanda Equip
Umuyobozi w’Iri shuri Iyamuremye
Samuel yabwiye IGIHE ko iri koranabuhanga rimufasha
kumenya ijanisha ry’abarimu baje mu kazi, ijanisha ry’abanyeshuri baje, n’ikigero cy’uko amasomo yatanzwe
Ati “Gahunda ni nziza ikwiye kugezwa mu bigo byose kuko ituma abana bamenya kuvuga Icyongereza, n’umwarimu waba afite intege nkeya abasha kuzamuka mu bijyanye n’ururimi rw’Icyongereza kubera ko isomo riba riteguye neza mu rurimi rw’Icyongereza bikamufasha kwigisha muri uru rurimi kandi agatanga Icyongereza kizima”
Mu bigo biri kugeragerezwamo iyi gahunda, buri mwarimu ahabwa ubumenyi n’igikoresho cy’ikoranabuhanga ‘Teacher Tablet’ Iyi tablet iba irimo imfashanyigisho n’amasomo yateguye n’impuguke Niyomugabo Bonavanture umaze imyaka irindwi yigisha, avuga ko nyuma y’aho baherewe iri koranabuhanga, igihe yafataga ategura ibidanago akimara arimo gusoma ibyo azigisha ku munsi ukurikiyeho kugira ataza gutegwa mu ishuri cyane ko buri kintu cyose kiri buvugwe cyangwa kiri bukorwe mu minota 40 isomo rimara kiba kigenewe iminota runaka. Ati “Iri koranabuhanga rituma mwarimu akora cyane kuko ikiza wasangaga abarimu barasaraye kubera ko mwarimu akoresha intege ziruta izo mbere yakoreshaga”
Abarimu basaba Minisiteri y’Uburezi kongera umubare w’ibitabo kuko abana bagomba kuba bafite ibitabo imbere yabo,
mwarimu akababwira paje y’igitabo baramburaho abirebeye muri tablet. Ibi rero biba ikibazo kuko hari igihe igitabo cyateganyijwe muri iryo somo ryo muri tablet ikigo kiba kitagifite
Mu gihe mbere mwarimu yandikaga ibintu byinshi ku kibaho abana bakabyandukura mu makaye yabo kuri ubu ntibikiri ngombwa kuko ibyo mwarimu agomba kwandika ku kibaho biba ari bikeya
Niyonshima Noella, ni umwarimu utarize uburezi, amaze imyaka ibiri yigisha Avuga ko umwaka wa mbere ajya mu kazi wamugoye kuko byamusabaga gutegura amasomo, ku bw’amahirwe mu mwaka wakurikiyeho ku kigo cyabo bahise bahabwa ikoranabuhanga rya Rwanda Equip.
Ati “Mbere nitwazaga ibitabo kugira ngo nze gutegura isomo mu rugo n’ikaramu ariko ubu ni ugusoma, ukareba ikikugoye ukagikoraho
ubushakashatsi hakiri kare kugira ngo ejo bitazagucanga uri imbere y’abanyeshuri”
Umuyobozi w’Ishami ry’Itumanaho muri Rwanda Equip, Annette Tamara Mbabazi yabwiye IGIHE ko nyuma y’umwaka umwe iyi gahunda imaze itangiye
kugeragerezwa mu bigo bitandukanye by’amashuri, bamaze kubona umusaruro
ushimishije
Ati “Iyi porogramu yatumye ubwitabire bw’abarimu mu mashuri bwiyongera, abarimu bakoresha
Icyongereza nk’ururimi rwo kwigisha, kandi byatumye
hagaragara igihe kinini
cyakoreshejwe mu myigishirize ya buri munsi, ibyo bikaba
byaratumye abanyeshuri biga neza nkuko bikwiriye"
RwandaEQUIP itanga ibikoresho
byifashishwa mu kwiga ku
banyeshuri bose ndetse
byanakemuye ibibazo byaterwa no
kubura ibitabo kuri bo.
Mbabazi avuga ko iyi gahunda
idafasha gusa abarezi ahubwo ngo
inafasha cyane abanyeshuri kuko
kwiga kw’abanyeshuri bidashingira
gusa ku byo mwarimu yigisha,
ahubwo ari ngombwa ko mwarimu
yita ku igihe n’uburyo yigisha
Ati “Kwigisha ni siyansi (ubumenyi
busobanutse) RwandaEQUIP
ihugura mwarimu uko yakwigisha
ashishikaye mu ishuri akagenzura
imikorere y’abanyeshuri bose, kugira ngo buri mwana yishimire imyigire”
Iri koranabuhanga rya
RwandaEQUIP ryitezweho gufasha
abanyeshuri bose kwiga neza
gusoma no kubara, no kwandika
ndetse n’indangagaciro zijyanye
n’ikinyejana cya 21 zirimo kubaha, imyitwarire mbonezabupfura, no gukorana umwete. Ibi bizatuma
batsinda neza babashe no kwiteza
imbere bo ubwabo, imiryango
ndetse n’igihugu muri rusange.
Magingo aya gahunda ya
RwandaEquip imaze kugera mu
bigo 250 mu gihugu hose,
biteganyijwe ko muri Nzeli 2023, iyi
gahunda izaba imaze kugera mu
bigo 761 Icyiciro cya mbere cy’uyu
mushinga biteganyijwe ko
kizamara imyaka ine nyuma yayo
nibwo Guverinoma y’u Rwanda
izagena igikurikiraho
2022
NewGlobe methods transforming African and Indian education as world leaders gather to address learning crisis at global summit.
14th September 2022
An innovative teaching methodology delivering “learning gains among the largest ever measured” is being taken-up by more and more African and Indian governments – ahead of the global education summit to tackle what’s being called the greatest learning crisis for 100 years
Rwanda’s Government is the latest to launch a national education transformation program –RwandaEQUIP – with the aim of making the country’s entire basic education system globally competitive.
living in underserved communities receive over 53% more learning in NewGlobe supported schools compared to students in other schools.
The results are an affirmation of NewGlobe’s integrated learning system, used by the Government of Rwanda and others across Africa and India to support a million students today and growing year-on-year
Educational transformation is a core priority for the Government of Rwanda and bold investments have been made to this effect,”
Global leaders are gathering in New York for the UN Transforming Education Summit – convened in response to the crisis in global education A ‘Solutions Day’ will focus on the few replicable programs – like RwandaEQUIP –already delivering transformation at scale said Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education.
RwandaEQUIP is supported by NewGlobe’s innovative methodology, confirmed in a landmark study to deliver learning gains easily in the top 1% of those ever rigorously studied at scale in emerging markets
The study, led by Professor Michael Kremer, 2019 Nobel Prize winner, suggests children
The study is based on a randomized control trial of more than 10,000 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Kenya
After two years, primary students taught using NewGlobe’s methods are nearly a whole additional year of learning ahead of students in other schools
For pre-primary students, two years’ teaching using NewGlobe’s methods puts them a year-and-ahalf of additional learning ahead of other students.
NewGlobe’s Africa Director Clement Uwajenza said: “Despite enormous global investment, the 2030 SDG4 education targets will be missed, failing another generation of children Now, is the time to identify and scale effective local solutions already being
implemented by governments in the Global South. We all know the scale of the crisis, now we need practical action to solve it. The international community must unite and commit to implementing solutions already proven to work if we’re to have any prospect of delivering on the promise of quality education for all We must all hope that this Summit seizes the chance for change ”
The groundbreaking education study also finds children taught using New Globe’s methods are three times more likely to be able to read at age seven The World Bank estimates 90% of 10 year olds in Africa can’t read a single sentence
World Bank Education Director Jaime Saavedra says the level of learning poverty in low and middle income countries is “the most serious education crisis of the last 100 years.”
The latest UNESCO estimates suggest that SDG4 – the target to ensure quality education for all by 2030 – will be missed, with 300 million children still not reaching basic standards in literacy and numeracy
Teachers welcome new Tech-enabled methodology in public primary schools
13th September 2022
Primary school leaders and teachers, who are undergoing the induction training on technologyenabled teaching and pedagogical techniques for enhanced classroom engagement, testified that the skills gained will improve the quality and relevance of learning in public primary schools
The training is facilitated by Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) through the Government of Rwanda initiative Rwanda Education Quality Improvement Programme (RwandaEQUIP)
RwandaEQUIP is a programme designed to improve teaching and learning in primary schools, where each student receives the effective, equitable and engaging education they need to reach their full unique potential The initiative, which is in its second year, targets improved learning outcomes for students by empowering teachers in more than 750 government and government aided schools by 2024.
Technology enabled transformation of the primary education system is an essential part of realizing Rwanda's Vision 2050 to becoming a knowledge-based economy” said Hon Gaspard Twagirayezu, the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary education during his visit to the thousands of trainees
How it works
According to Marie Merci Twiringiyimana, a RwandaEQUIP trainer, headteachers are equipped with the skills, resources and the technology required to approve efficiency, productivity, and
decision-making at their schools. “We showed them how they can use technology to support teachers to deliver lesson guides efficiently as they transform instruction in their classroom ”
Head teachers are given a smart phone with applications that provide digital insights on what is happening in every classroom; attendance, lesson delivery & learning outcomes in real time
The teachers are also equipped with teacher guides and classroom management techniques that boost pupil engagement and creativity These teacher tablets contain well researched and carefully designed daily lesson guides built around the Rwandan curriculum
The teacher guides help teachers overcome challenges that they used to encounter while designing their lesson plans. Teachers are able to focus more on teaching rather than planning and also deliver lessons in a coherent and easy-to-understand format
“However, the teachers can only access the detailed teacher guides while they are at school
They are required to sync their teacher guides to the head teacher’s smart device where they mark arrival and departure on a daily basis. After signing arrival at school, the head teacher enables hotspot and shares internet with teachers so they can access and download the lesson guides,” she said
Josephine Mukashyaka, the Head teacher of G S Uwinkomo in Nyamagabe district, who is among the trainees said: “previously, the teachers had to sign in books to mark attendance-arrival and departure- but some would skip and others could be absent in classrooms I can also see when pupils start and finish their lessons, which helps me track their progress,” she said
Teachers’ reactions to the new teaching methodology
Emmanuel Ngiruwonsanga, a teacher at Ecole Primaire Uwinkingi in Nyamagabe district, is among teachers who were trained and given tablets to improve instruction and class management
“I have been teaching for 32 years
We used to spend a lot of time preparing lesson plans and writing notes in many exercise books Sometimes it was difficult to access some teaching materials and this was affecting our performance.
“However, this is going to change after getting the teacher tablets. These tablets contain well developed lesson plans and teaching materials, and we will have more time to support pupils and give time to those who are struggling,” he said
Chantal Mukanoheri, a teacher at Kiziguro Catholique Primary school in Ngororero district, hailed the training programme explaining that the technology will ease teachers’ work and improve both teachers and learners’ performance
“Preparing lesson plans and teaching was taking us a lot of time. We would spend a long time looking for teaching materials and sometimes would not get them.
As a result, we did not have enough time to engage pupils and finish the teaching schedule. Now the tablets with lesson plans and teaching aids will guide us on what to teach on time This will improve the quality of education,” she said
She added that the technologyenabled teaching will also improve English speaking skills for both teachers and learners
“The teaching technique emphasises instruction using English We have also learned English songs, cheers, energisers that we shall use to motivate pupils and encourage positive behaviour in classrooms,” she noted
Vestine Uwimana, a teacher at Ecole Primaire de Rushaki in Gicumbi district, said the main challenge she was facing before t
he training was lack of enough time to prepare notes, assessments, quizzes and teach at the same time
The tablet will reduce the time we used to spend on filing a lot of teaching documents while marking teacher and pupil presence in class, and spend it on improving learners’ performance."
In addition, we have learnt how to encourage positive behaviour and correct pupils’ behaviours Alex Nsengimana, a teacher from Nyamagabe district, said that the tech-enabled teaching methodology will also improve pupil’s confidence and speaking skills
“A pupil would reach primary six without the ability to speak and read effectively The tech-enabled teaching methodology we were trained on has come as a solution, and if possible, should be scaled up to more schools” he said.
According to Gerard Murasira, the director of teacher training at Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), 4,500 head teachers and teachers from 150 public primary schools are undergoing training on technologyenabled teaching and effective class management from August 23 to September 23, 2022 The previous training was conducted in January 2022 for 3000 teachers in 100 schools
Global call for Transformative Education
The teacher training is happening at a time when Governments are currently seeking for evidence-based solutions that will boost learning to recover from unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic-related learning losses due to school closures. At the recently concluded Common wealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda, heads of states reaffirmed the role of governments in further strengthening education systems to ensure accessible, affordable, high quality and inclusive education for all.
Next week, Government leaders across the world will be meeting at the United Nations Transforming Education Summit in New York, to stock of efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses
The holistic and highly structured education methodology that the teachers are being trained on through RwandaEQUIP has been endorsed by a Nobel prize winning economist, Prof Michael Kremer The study conducted in East African schools by the Nobel Prize winner, confirmed the learning gains in the study are among the largest in the international education literature.
The study suggests that children receive 53 percent more learning over the course of their Early Childhood and primary school career compared to their peers taught using traditional methods
The study finds that after two years, primary school pupils, through Grade 6, are nearly a whole additional year ahead of pupils taught using traditional methods For Early Childhood Development (ECD) - typically 3-5year-old- pupils gain nearly an additional year and half of learning; learning in two years what pupils in other schools learn in three and a half years
Rwanda is using the methodology in this study to improve teaching and learning through RwandaEQUIP and hopes to see the same results across the country.
Over 4,000 teachers to get tech-enabled teaching skills
24th August 2022
As part of efforts to improve the quality of education, 4,500 head teachers and teachers from 150 public primary schools will be trained on technology-enabled teaching and effective class management.
The one-month teacher training from August 23 to September 23, 2022 will focus on new teaching techniques, methodology and classroom management to help improve learning outcomes
The training enables Rwanda’s teachers to use teacher guides, ensuring that all Rwanda Education Quality Improvement Programme (RwandaEQUIP) pupils are receiving world class lessons built around the Rwandan curriculum
RwandaEQUIP is a nationwide programme in government-aided primary schools designed to improve teaching and learning with the aim to make the country's basic education system globally competitive.
The initiative which is in its second year, targets to empower teachers in at least 761 government and government aided schools by 2024. The technology will improve performance and school monitoring by empowering teachers with the needed skills and resources to achieve a goal for quality education for all
Through the programme, the Government is optimizing technology and real-time data to track and support teachers’ performance in the classroom to improve learning
Using technology, the Government can access digital insights on exactly what is happening in every single classroom including lesson delivery, attendance and learning outcomes in near real time
According to Jules Ntabwoba, the Director of Policy and Partnerships at RwandaEQUIP, school leaders and teachers will be trained on how to use technology such as teacher tablets along with interactive classroom management techniques that are pupilcentered.
This, he said, will maximize pupil engagement and allow them to learn, grow and discover their full potential.
“The teachers will learn how to effectively use teacher tablets that contain thoroughly researched and carefully designed daily lesson guides,” said explaining that the tablets help teachers overcome challenges that they encounter while designing their lesson plans and deliver lessons in a coherent and easy-to-understand format
The teachers will also learn teaching techniques like setting learning goals for the lesson or unit; checking on each and every child’s learning; responding with feedback that accelerates student learning outcomes; and motivating students towards good behavior and academic effort
Uwimana Vestine, from Rushaki Primary school in Gicumbi district, has been a teacher for the past 26years.
She highlighted that the profession is demanding and her major challenge is lack of enough time to prepare lesson plans, notes, assessments, quizzes and teach at the same time
“This affects one’s ability to engage with pupils and provide quality instruction We therefore expect that this new methodology will address these challenges,” she said
According to Gerard Murasira, the director of teacher training at Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), quality education can be achieved if school leaders and teachers are trained and supported.
At the recently concluded CHOGM hosted by Rwanda, heads of states reaffirmed the role of governments in further strengthening education systems to ensure accessible, affordable, high quality and inclusive education for all
In mid-September, government leaders across the world will also be meeting at the United Nations Transforming Education Summit in New York, to stock up on efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses, focus on solutions that work at scale and present a national statement of commitment to transform education.
The holistic and highly structured education methodology that the teachers are being trained on through RwandaEQUIP has been endorsed by a Nobel prize winning economist Prof Michael Kremer, as an effective education intervention that dramatically transforms learning outcomes at speed and at scale in Africa and Asia
For early childhood development (ECD) - typically 3 and 5 year oldspupils gain nearly an additional year and half of learning; learning in two years what pupils in other schools learn in three and a half years The target is that all Rwandan students are equipped with the right skills to compete globally by 2035
The previous training was conducted in January 2022 for 3000 teachers in 100 schools
“In the first 100 schools where this methodology is being implemented since February 2022, with continuous support, he said teachers have increased their productivity and efficiency as instructors.
We are now scaling up to 150 new schools, where they will use this methodology in the next academic year,” he said.
Education summit in New York
The teacher training is happening at a time when Governments are currently seeking evidence-based solutions that will boost learning to recover from unprecedented Covid-19 pandemicrelated learning losses due to school closures
The study, conducted in East African schools suggests that children receive 53 percent more learning over the course of their primary school career compared to their peers taught using traditional methods
We are scaling up quality instruction using a new methodology that uses technology and increases learner engagement.”
teachers in public schools undergo modern teaching technique trainings
22nd August 2022
Rwanda EQUIP is the Ministry of Education's newly created agency designed to advance policy investment and ensure learning outcomes are improved as well as ensure that Rwandan students can have their full potential to excel in academics
A total of 4,500 teachers from 150 public schools are undergoing 10day training to help them to effectively engage with their students during classroom sessions and empower teachers’ capacity building among other professional skills that align with a transformative education.
The training will be held in Musanze district from 23rd August to 8th September 2022 according to organizers
The two week and a half training sponsored by the Ministry of Education and RwandaEQUIP will focus on empowering teachers with tech-enabled teaching, and engaging and adaptive practices that allow pupils to learn, grow and discover their full potential
Rwanda EQUIP is the Ministry of Education's newly created agency designed to advance policy investment and ensure learning outcomes are improved as well as ensure that Rwandan students can have their full potential to excel in academics
Clement Uwineza, the Managing Director, Rwanda EQUIP, says training is running under the government’s initiative to deliver improvement in learning outcomes for the students in public schools across the country.
We provide the teachers with initial induction training that equip them with not only understanding of how to deliver lessons using technology but also with skills that engage the students
Benoit Ntakirutinka also a teacher says that the Rwanda EQUIP project will help them adapt to technological skills as well as on improving their teaching skills
According to RwandaEQUIP, the new initiatives will build upon the previous investments and policy decisions to ensure improved learning outcomes so that all Rwandan students have the opportunity to reach their full potential
“Rwanda EQUIP will create a legacy of excellence in education for the country and improve learning outcomes through datadriven technology; high-quality learning materials, ongoing training and coaching for government teachers and school leaders,” the statement detailing the mission and vision of the RwandaEQUIP reads.
A study by Cambridge University released in 2020 confirms that quality teaching with modern teach tools in usage in classrooms like camera’s is important for improving student outcomes in both primary and secondary education
“In low and lower middle income country contexts, understanding what happens in the classroom has been a blind spot to date making it difficult to assess teaching quality ” the study writes in part
4,500
Opinion: Beating learning poverty by transforming education
12th July 2022
If you were a 10-year-old from a low- or middle-income country, chances are you would not be able to read this sentence
That’s because 7 out of 10 children in such countries cannot read and comprehend a simple text They are in what is defined as “learning poverty ”
This shocking failure of education outcomes was announced in a new joint study by some of the biggest actors in global education: the World Bank, UNICEF, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the U S Agency for International Development, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
NewGlobe is a leader in learning and an education expert, working with national and state governments by creating powerful technology-enabled education systems. It supports a million children in classrooms across Africa and South Asia, 95% of them in state schools
Dr Benjamin Piper, director of global education at the Gates Foundation, sums up the current education emergency:
“I want readers of this report to have at least two responses The first is profound sadness at the magnitude of this crisis The second is that we have solutions that can work at scale and in government systems ”
The Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel has published a list of cost-effective approaches to improve global learning. It lists structured lesson plans with ongoing teacher monitoring and training as a “good buy ”
Now, a major new study by a group of U S academics, led by Nobel Prizewinning economist Professor Michael Kremer, provides more evidence of methods that transform learning outcomes
Its findings are startlingly clear “The test score effects in this study are among the largest observed in the international education literature, particularly for a program that was already operating at scale, exceeding
the 99th percentile of treatment effects of large-scale education interventions reviewed by Evans and Yuan (2020),” it states
It’s worth stressing what that means: A learning program, working at scale in Africa, has been confirmed through a rigorous independent study to deliver learning gains that are much bigger than virtually any studied before.
The new study by Kremer and his co-authors Guthrie Gray-Lobe, Anthony Keats, Isaac Mbiti and Owen Ozier is an examination of the benefits of a structured and standardized approach to teaching and learning
Optimized learning
The study of schools in NewGlobe’s Bridge Kenya program was conducted over two school years and included more than 10,000 students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, using indicators such as access to electricity and whether homes had dirt or mud floors
Students in the study were awarded a scholarship through a randomized lottery draw
It finds primary school students through Grade 8 gain almost an additional year of learning under the NewGlobe integrated methodology, learning in two years what their peers learn in nearly three
For early childhood development, or ECD, students, the gains are even bigger Those students supported by NewGlobe gain almost an additional 1 1/2 years, learning in two years what students in other schools learn in 3 1/2 years.
Equitable learning gains
Equity has long been the target of education programming, but rarely achieved Yet, Kremer and his coauthors show that while all students outperform their peers at every point of the test score distribution, these differences are greatest for students with the lowest learning levels at the start of the study
This contradicts decades of educational research, from Coleman’s landmark study of academic outcomes to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s global study of excellence and equity in education, which both assert that family background matters much more than the differences between the schools students attend
Alongside equity, the study looked at the impact of outcomes in relation to gender It found that the learning gains were equally large for girls and boys in NewGlobesupported schools
Again, the findings contrast with established research that shows girls in sub-Saharan Africa are consistently disadvantaged in learning, with lower literacy rates than boys even when both have the same educational attainment
These equitable learning gains go hand in hand with a roughly 0 90 standard deviation improvement in higher order thinking skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving at both the ECD and primary levels
The added value of data
In March 2022, a joint statement from UNICEF, UNESCO, and the World Bank pointed out that many countries are lacking data to measure whether children had even returned to school after the COVID-19 pandemic
In contrast, the Kremer-led study analyzed a methodology that is datarich, characterized by an integrated end-to-end system including a digital learning platform, adaptive instructional content, professional development, and 360-degree support
A focus on school management is combined with the use of cellular networks to ensure each school leader has purpose-built applications for school management and instructional leadership, as well as to digitally publish teachers’ lesson guides and additional supporting materials.
By digitizing materials and information systems, NewGlobe makes core activities within each supported school and classroom visible, and uses that data to support decisions made on everything from the deployment of field support staff to lesson design
Kremer and his co-authors are clear on the implications:
This study shows that attending schools delivering highly standardized education has the potential to produce dramatic learning gains at scale, suggesting that policymakers may wish to explore incorporation of standardization, including standardized lesson plans and teacher feedback and monitoring, in their own systems.”
Pioneered in Kenya, this integrated approach to teaching and learning has been embraced by governments in countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, India, and Liberia The World Bank is noticing the results and supplying additional support, as in the case of the EdoBEST program in Nigeria’s Edo State
One million students 95% in public schools are being taught using the methodology in this groundbreaking study and the figure is increasing year on year
With global education facing what World Bank Education Director Jaime Saavedra calls the “most serious education crisis in the last 100 years” and UNESCO clear that the SDG 4 target of quality universal education by 2030 will be missed, leaving 300 million children without minimum learning proficiency, change is needed urgently
Methods proven to deliver transformational learning at scale must be at the heart of our drive to transform education
You can find more information about the study led by professor Michael Kremer and about NewGlobe here
Featured: Nobel Prize Winner Confirms Gains In Education Metholodody In Use In Rwanda
28th June 2022
While Rwanda is looking forward to putting quality of education to greater heights, an independent study by Nobel Prize Winner economist Professor Michael Kremer implies that the country is on the right track.
The ground-breaking study suggests that children living in underserved African communities could receive 53% more learning, over their early childhood and primary school career, in schools supported by NewGlobe; the technical partner to the Rwandan Government’s RwandaEQUIP initiative
RwandaEQUIP refers to Rwanda Education Quality Improvement Program designed to transform learning outcomes across the public school system
This methodology recommends to teachers a range of techniques in the classroom to engage, communicate and connect with their class.
During the 2022 Education World forum in London, Nobel Prize Winner economist Professor
Michael Kremer shared the outcomes of a study on a similar methodology in Kenya supported by NewGlobe.
The study finds that after two years, primary school pupils in the NewGlobe’s program in the study, are nearly a whole additional year ahead of pupils taught using standard methods
For early childhood development (ECD) – typically 3 and 5 year olds – pupils gain nearly an additional year and half of learning; learning in two years what pupils in other schools learn in three and a half years
“The learning gains in the study are among the largest in the international education literature,” part of the study findings read
The effects in this study are among the largest in the international education literature, particularly for a program that was already operating at scale,”
said Professor Michael Kremer
“This study shows that attending schools delivering highly standardized education has the potential to produce dramatic learning gains at scale, suggesting that policymakers may wish to explore incorporation of standardization, including standardized lesson plans and teacher feedback and monitoring, in their own systems ”
The study also finds pupils in NewGlobe-supported schools, 82% of Primary 1 pupils- typically seven-yearolds – can read a sentence, compared with 27% of their peers in other schools
The World Bank estimates that 90% of 10 year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa do not reach this benchmark
“Educational transformation is a core priority for the Government of Rwanda and bold investments have been made to this effect,” said Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education who was at the 2022 Education World forum.
Featured: Nobel Prize Winner Confirms Gains In Education Metholodody In Use In Rwanda - CONT
Twagirayezu further said: “The findings of this study provide a wealth of insights that will inform our policies as we accelerate learning to provide quality education for all.”
The study reveals that methodology underpinning RwandaEQUIP increased equity. Pupils starting with the lowest learning levels gained the most, with girls making the same leap in learning as boys.
It contrasts with research which shows girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are consistently disadvantaged in learning
Speaking about RwandaEQUIP, Managing Director Clement Uwajeneza, said: “We are proud that an independent study of this size, led by a Nobel-prize winning economist, has found such unequivocal evidence of large learning gains delivered by a methodology that we are currently using in schools across Rwanda We are proud to support the Government of Rwanda’s policy choice to improve learning ”
According to Uwajeneza, RwandaEQUIP’s holistic approach improves learning outcomes through data-driven technology, increased access to high-quality learning materials and training and coaching for teachers and school leaders
Teachers have also owned this program and they have found it effective
“Through RwandaEQUIP, we have not only learned how to use technology to improve the way we deliver our lessons but also our English proficiency has increased. In the end, we hope to achieve academic excellence,” Benoit Ntakirutimana, a Teacher at G.S Nyamirama.
RwandaEQUIP started in 2021. It is currently being implemented in 100 public and government-aided primary schools At the end of 2024, RwandaEQUIP will be operational in 761 schools
Prof Kremer will present the findings to the education leaders and policy makers at the UNESCO Transforming Education Pre‐Summit in Paris from 28th-30th June 2022
EdTech Monday To Discuss How To Create Resilient Education System
26th June 2022
EdTech Monday will return this Monday with the ministry of education experts and internet providers explaining how the country can move towards build a resilient education system
Edtech is a education program sponsored by Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT and Rwanda ICT chambers and aired on every last Monday of the month.
The Episode of June 27, 2022 that will be moderated by radio presenter Natasha Kamanzi will be broadcast live on KTRadio and Kigali Today YouTube channel from 6-7PM will focus on the implementation of a directive by the Ministry of Education referring to the message of the Minister Dr Valentine Uwamariya delivered during the Mastercard Foundation’s Ministerial Forum organised by the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning held in May in Kigali, Rwanda
This episode will discuss “Harnessing the Power of Technology to Create Resilient
Education Systems” highlighting main points from the minister’s message including connectivity in schools, trainings for teachers, parents’involvementand private sector engagement to ensure the accessibility of educational technology in Rwanda
Minister Uwamariya, who was scheduled to appear on the show to highlight this resilience plan will not be available, however the same question will go to other invited panelists including Clement Uwajeneza, Managing Director RwandaEquip- a Government of Rwanda’s transformative programme to make the country’s basic education system globally competitive and Christian Muhirwa, CEO Broadband Systems Corporation (BSC)- a technology company and broadband internet provider advancing Rwanda’s mission of becoming Africa’s ICT hub
RwandaEquip will explain what they are doing to ensure that teachers are able to deliver lessons using technology and BSC will detail what they are doing to fill the connectivity gap in Rwandan schools as well as make it affordable and accessible for every student and teacher
Referring to the effects of COVID-19 and the experience on Rwandan education sector, both panelists will take listeners through measures that should be set to create resilient education systems in Rwanda using technology especially in events of a potential global catastrophe or pandemic
In the audience engaging show, the host Kamanzi will also give an opportunity to listeners to tell the situation on ground- at their school. They will indicate whether teachers have enough digital skills to deliver lessons using technology and give recommendations on the way forward
Nobel Prize-winner endorses RwandaEQUIP model of learning
20th June 2022
Africa-Press – Rwanda. Nobel Prize-winning economist, Professor Michael Kremer has revealed learning gains in a major study in Africa are among the largest in the international education literature
The holistic methodology studied predominantly underpins the Government of Rwanda’s transformative education program – Rwanda Education Quality Improvement Program (RwandaEQUIP); designed to transform learning outcomes across the public school system
The findings show that attending schools delivering highly standardised education has the potential to produce dramatic learning gains at scale. The study, conducted on NewGlobe supported schools in Kenya further suggests that children living in underserved African communities could benefit from 53 percent more learning over the course of their early childhood and primary school career
The findings were presented at the 2022 Education World Forum in London
It finds that after two years, primary school pupils, in NewGlobe supported schools, are nearly a whole year ahead of children taught using standard methods It also finds that 82% of Primary 1 pupils, (seven-year-olds) can read a sentence, compared with 27% of their peers in other schools The World Bank estimates that 90% of 10-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa do not reach this benchmark
We are proud that an independent study of this size, led by a Nobelprize winning economist, has found such unequivocal evidence of large learning gains delivered by a methodology that we are currently using in schools across Rwanda,
said Clement Uwajeneza, RwandaEQUIP Managing DirectorThe study revealed that this methodology underpinning RwandaEQUIP increases equity Pupils starting with the lowest learning levels gained the most, with girls making the same leap in learning as boys, compared to the traditional situation where girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are consistently disadvantaged in learning.
The study finds that if the benefits were duplicated at scale across public education systems, African pupils from underprivileged communities would be on track to catch up to their peers in countries with three- or fourtimes higher incomes
How it works
Through RwandaEQUIP approach, teachers in public schools are leveraging the structured competence-based curriculum content to deliver technology-enabled learning
This is coupled with proven classroom engagement practices to improve learning and deliver more engaging, personalised and feedback driven instruction This ensures that all pupils have the opportunity to grow, thrive and achieve their fullest potential to become globally competitive and build a better future for themselves, their families and all Rwandans
ECD and primary teachers are trained and thereafter provided with electronic Tablets containing meticulously designed lessons and assessments that help all teachers deliver content in a coherent manner To access these teaching guides, every morning, the tablets are connected to the head teacher’s smartphone with a designed system to mark their attendance and departure. I can also see when pupils start and finish their lessons, which helps me track their progress,” said Kezia Kangwera, head teacher at Groupe Scolaire (GS) Muyumbu in Gicumbi district
Teachers are also steadily adapting to using English as a language of instruction Through RwandaEQUIP, we have been trained on positive behavioural management strategies that build pupil confidence and motivate them to participate in class “This allows pupils to achieve their full potential, stay attentive and participate actively during lessons, by engaging them in different fun activities during their breaks or when they would usually get bored,” said Benoit Niyonsenga, a teacher at the same school.
Nobel Prize-winner endorses RwandaEQUIP model of learning - CONT
“Previously, teaching was just about spending a lot of time while reading different textbooks and developing examples to use while explaining to pupils. But we have been given tablets which help us save time so that we can focus more on engaging with our pupils,” said Foibe Iracyampa, teacher at GS Rubago.
“We have been trained on how to care for and engage with the pupils and discipline them without violating their rights,” she added. Pupils have equal access to resources they need for success They are given text books and activity books with various tasks and activities to encourage self-preparation outside of the classroom.
“According to Benoit Niyonsenga, a teacher at Groupe Scolaire (GS) Muyumbu, each pupil receives books for each subject in which they can directly respond to quizzes, this saves parents money spent on textbooks
Gov’t Proposes BIA Software To Improve Quality Of Education
24th June 2022
One of the most important goals for Rwanda’s vision 2020 is the pupil’s access to high-quality education for the community to move towards a knowledge-based economy
There are several methods expected to achieve the target, but amongst the most important ones is ‘Bridge International Academies (BIA)’ systems for nursery and primary schools
The BIA system uses smartphone applications that require teachers to seamlessly sync their performance, attendance, pupil attendance, and performance for instructional monitoring
These smartphones also have built software that tracks lesson pacing and pupil comprehension.
The BIA system was proposed to an extraordinary cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Tuesday 16, as a new tool that would achieve the quality of education in Rwanda
BIA, wireless technology is used by teachers to deliver advanced lessons to pupils This system (BIA) also believes that every child has a right to high-quality education
It (BIA) was founded by Shannon May, Jay Kimmelman, and Phil Frei, educationists based in the United Kingdom to solve challenges including underprepared teachers, teachers absenteeism, ill-shaped classrooms, and teachers’ administrative errors
The system partners with governments and communities, to train teachers, establish schools and technology tools (academies) and register pupils to start learning
In 2009 BIA launched its first academy in Mukuru Kwanjenga in Kenya After eight years of supposed successes This education system expanded in Uganda, Nigeria, Andhra Pradesh, India, among others.
The twenty-two education global award winner (BIA) trains teachers on delivering life-changing lessons to children based on practical education at an early age following the education curriculum
BIA system won global education awards including education investor in 2017, Africa game-changer of the year (education) in 2018, and girl effect award, among others
BIA comes at the time, the Ministry of Education is working around the clock to improve the quality of education in public and government-aided schools
According to REB, 37 5% of pupils aged 15-17 are still in primary schools, the issue caused pupils who fail promotional exams and repeat classes or those that start school at a late age
Quality of education was among the items to discuss on the agenda of 17th National Dialogue Umushyikirano Council, December 19, 2019
