Among the most notable changes announced during a recent education conference, is a shift in the structure of senior secondary school subjects.
Moving forward, students will have only three subject choices, a significant reduction from the previous 11 subject combinations.
This article delves into these key changes and examines how they are expected to contribute to the overall advancement of education in Rwanda.
Revised subject combinations
Previously, students completing the general secondary education cycle and passing the national exams after their third year could choose from 11 subject combinations, spanning general education, technical education, vocational training, and other related fields.
Under the new reforms, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has announced that students will only be able to select from three broad learning pathways: Mathematics and Science, Humanities, and Languages.
Dr. Flora Mutezigaju, the Deputy Director-General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board, explained to IGIHE that this new structure is designed to broaden students' future career options and further develop their areas of expertise.
Increased number of subjects
Although the three learning pathways will remain, the number of subjects students study will increase based on their chosen pathway.
Each learning pathway will consist of four core subjects directly aligned with the student's area of study, along with an additional three subjects from other fields. Additionally, students will be required to take four mandatory subjects, including ICT, Entrepreneurship, General Knowledge, Religion, and Sports.
For students in the Mathematics and Science pathway, two options will be available. One option focuses on Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, while the other includes Mathematics, Economics, Geography, and Physics.
Humanities students will study History, Geography, English Literature, and Psychology, alongside Mathematics, French, and Kinyarwanda.
Those pursuing Language studies will focus on Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili, as well as an in-depth study of Literature and Grammar in each language. They will also study Mathematics, History, and Geography.
Expanded career opportunities
Dr. Mutezigaju emphasized that the new approach will offer students a well-rounded education, equipping them with knowledge in multiple fields.
'All students will study 11 subjects, including seven related to their chosen pathway. This opens up many more opportunities for students, both in terms of post-graduation career prospects and future university studies,' she said.
Pathways at every school
As part of the reforms, every school must offer at least two learning pathways, giving students a choice between options. An analysis is currently underway to assess which schools are capable of offering all three pathways and those able to accommodate two.
The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has emphasized that no school will be allowed to offer the Mathematics and Science pathway unless it has the necessary laboratory facilities. REB also assured that qualified teachers would be provided, and school schedules, textbooks, and computer resources will be updated accordingly.
National examinations
Students in secondary schools will be required to take national exams in seven subjects relevant to their chosen pathway. The four additional subjects studied by all students will be prepared by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) but administered at the school level.
Some subjects, such as ICT and Sports, will require practical exams, while the Entrepreneurship subject will involve students developing a business proposal aimed at driving change.
Scores from all subjects will be combined with national exam results for a comprehensive evaluation.
Implementation timeline
While the proposed changes have sparked some questions, REB has confirmed that the reforms will be rolled out gradually.
Dr. Mutezigaju stated that after a thorough evaluation, the changes will begin to be implemented incrementally, starting from the fourth year of secondary school. The changes will be phased in over time, and students in the fifth year will continue with the existing structure until they graduate.
Until then, students will follow the previous curriculum system, ensuring a smooth transition to the new educational framework.
These reforms are expected to provide a more specialized, flexible, and career-focused education system, aligning with Rwanda's broader goals of improving educational standards and nurturing talent for the future.
IGIHE
