The Director General of Communication in the Ministry of Education, Hashakineza Jean Claude, has said that Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy, cannot be achieved without ensuring quality education for all. He emphasized that this requires competent and well-prepared teachers.
Hashakineza made the remarks on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, during an event where the Ministry of Education presented achievements from the project aimed at expanding and strengthening Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs). The event took place at TTC de la Salle, located in Byumba Sector, Gicumbi District.
TTC de la Salle is among the 16 teacher training colleges across Rwanda that prepare future educators. In partnership with the World Bank, the government has been implementing a project to build strong and well-equipped TTCs that can produce qualified teachers who will contribute to Rwanda’s educational goals.
Hashakineza said the program’s goal is to ensure that teacher trainees receive quality education supported by modern facilities and sufficient learning materials. “It means that they should have the right knowledge and enough learning tools that help them study effectively. That’s why the government has invested heavily in this area,” he said.
In the first phase of the project, TTC de la Salle received a new dormitory accommodating 179 students, an administration block, a laboratory, new classrooms, and digital learning equipment.
The head of TTC de la Salle, Brother Niyonshuti Jean Paul, said Rwanda will have competent teachers because of the government’s commitment to investing in teacher preparation. “Today, the government sends high-performing students to TTCs, which makes teaching them easier and more productive,” he said.
He added that the new facilities, which cost over 1.2 billion Rwandan francs, demonstrate the government’s dedication to improving education by producing skilled teachers.
To ensure teacher trainees master English, the Ministry of Education is also strengthening English language training within TTCs so that graduates will not need additional language courses or exams after graduation.
Students pursuing education degrees are supported financially, with TTC students receiving a 50% reduction in tuition fees and those sent to universities for teacher training having their full tuition covered.
Brother Niyonshuti noted that this policy has increased interest in teacher training programs. “More students are applying to join TTCs, and those already in the program are happier because their parents are less financially burdened,” he said.
Germaine Igiraneza, a student at TTC de la Salle, said the government’s support motivates them to study hard and love their profession. “Not all of us come from the same economic background. Being supported by the government pushes us to work hard so that we become competent teachers who can contribute to the country’s development,” she said.
She added that the new facilities and learning tools, especially digital technology, have greatly improved their learning experience. “Technology helps us every day; everything we need is available online, making it easier to do research and access books,” she explained.
The Ministry of Education says each TTC works closely with a nearby primary or secondary school where final-year students do teaching practice to gain professional experience before graduation.
Father Niyitanga Principe, the head of GS Byumba Catholique, said his school hosts TTC de la Salle students for internships and that they always perform well in teaching and job exams afterward. “Many of them return here as teachers after completing their training,” he said.
The project to modernize TTCs began in 2019 through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the World Bank. Its main goal is to strengthen all 16 TTCs across the country and enhance their ability to produce highly qualified teachers.
As of the 2023–2024 academic year, Rwanda had 12,264 students enrolled in teacher training programs. TTC de la Salle, which has been training teachers for over 70 years, currently has more than 1,000 students pursuing programs in Mathematics and Science Education, Social Studies, and Early Childhood and Primary Education.
