USAID provides ICT devices to Local Leaders in Education

The Inspirer writer. 

The United States Government celebrated the distribution of over 2,755 tablets and 30 laptops to the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) for distribution to District Directors of Education, Sector Education Inspectors, and Head Teachers countrywide.

The handover ceremony of these devices has taken place on Friday, May 7, 2021 at REB Headquarters.

The technology will facilitate local education officials and head teachers to collect and use data about children’s learning, and to coach and provide professional development for teachers to improve classroom instruction.

The provision of technology is a component of USAID Soma Umenye, a partnership with the Government of Rwanda to improve the foundational reading skills of children in every public and government-aided primary school in Rwanda.

USAID Rwanda Director of Education, Luann Gronhovd, noted the critical role of early learning. “USAID is committed to our partnership with the Ministry of Education and Rwanda Basic Education Board to improve the quality of education. Ensuring that children master foundational skills in the early grades, including the ability to read, is essential for success in school,” she said, adding that this technology will facilitate the work of school leaders to be leaders in learning, monitoring, analyzing and communicating about student progress and supporting teachers to improve teaching.

The Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, Honorable Gaspard Twagirayezu, received the devices and said, “The Government of Rwanda values our partnership with USAID to strengthen the education system and improve student learning. These tablets and laptops will facilitate headteachers to collect data about students’ skills and generate school reports, to provide timely and constructive feedback to help teachers improve teaching. Sector officials will be able to easily monitor the headteachers’ performance and collect, analyze and discuss student learning data in sector and district education meetings. District officials will use the devices to efficiently coordinate and monitor teaching and learning in all district schools.”