The Rwandan Ministry of Education, Rwanda Education Board and the University of Rwanda College of Education have launched a continuous professional development (CPD) certificate programme in Educational Mentorship and Coaching for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers in 14 districts with VVOB’s support.
The certificate programme is part of the Leaders in Teaching initiative of the Mastercard Foundation. Leaders in Teaching is an initiative that transforms teaching and learning in secondary education across Africa so young people have the skills and competencies they need to succeed in work and life.
The programme – which aims to enhance learning and teaching in Rwandan schools – was launched on 4 September in Rusizi District where 38 STEM teachers attended the first two-day session.
Dr. Isaac Munyakazi, the Minister of State in charge of primary and secondary education who opened this programme told participants that our goals can only be achieved if they apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Pillars of change
“Whatever equipment we can provide, however much we can do to improve school infrastructure, without you, nothing can happen. You are the pillars of the change we need—achieving quality education. Of course, there are many factors to achieve this but the foundation is the qualified teaching staff,” Dr. Munyakazi said.
“Talking about what VVOB and other partners have been doing, we all agree that we need to reinforce your capacity. If we don’t have good teachers and good school leaders, we cannot expect to have good students. I’m not here to launch a training that ends here. I want to look forward to that one day we meet again to celebrate the impact of this training,” he added.
Helping each other
Edmond Ngezahayo is a chemistry teacher at G.S Bugarama Cité secondary school in Rusizi district. After completing the first session, he planned to improve the way he was working with his colleagues.
“This is my first time attending such a training. At my school, we were already supporting each other in issues related to science learning and teaching. But now I learnt how I can support my colleagues much better in a more structured way. I now know how I can initiate reflective coaching conversations during which a colleague can identify solutions himself/herself. I will definitely start applying coaching skills acquired in this training and hope to get more insights during upcoming sessions,” said Mr Ngezahayo.
Coaching students
Donatille Mukandayisenga has been a mathematics teacher at G.S Saint Marie Reine Mibilizi, Rusizi district for a year now. “I was lacking skills to effectively implement the competence-based curriculum in my teaching. For some maths chapters it was difficult to help students use and develop competences. Now I will use coaching skills gained in unit one of the course to help my students discover more about maths lessons—through conversation. I will also share the new knowledge and skills with eight science teachers during departmental meetings,” said Ms Mukandayisenga.
The certificate programme for STEM teachers is a 20-credits course and is organised during weekends to facilitate participants. Between 2018 and 2021, about 1500 STEM teachers in 14 districts will enrol in three cohorts.
On top of the certificate programme for STEM teachers, schools will also benefit from other recently launched CPD programmes: a diploma course in Effective School Leadership and a certificate course in Educational Mentorship and Coaching for school-based mentors and sector education officers. The programmes aim to equip mentor teachers, sector education officers and school leaders with competences to fulfil their responsibilities related to CPD for teachers towards improving learning outcomes.
The Leaders in Teaching initiative works closely with local and national stakeholders in African countries and focusses on teacher recruitment, training, motivation and leadership throughout their careers that prepares them to deliver quality and relevant learning. In Rwanda, it is implemented by several partners including VVOB, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and the University of Rwanda College of Education, in close partnership with the Rwanda Education Board. Read more about VVOB’s role here.
