The initiative, led by Prikkle Academy Rwanda, focuses on equipping educators with practical, ethical, and locally relevant skills for integrating AI into teaching.
The programme targets nursery and primary school teachers, positioning them as the first step in introducing AI into schools. By training teachers first, the organisation aims to ensure that students engage with AI in a structured and safe manner.
Fasoranti 'Fash' Damilola, founder and lead trainer of Prikkle Academy Rwanda, said the focus on teachers rather than students allows the programme to build a strong foundation for AI-supported learning.
'Teachers are with students every day. If we train teachers to be excellent, they will raise excellent children,' he said.
He was speaking during a graduation ceremony held on Friday at Chez Les Bien-Aimés Primary School in Kigali, where a first cohort of 14 teachers received certificates for completing the training and their final projects, which included classroom-ready digital storybooks and personal websites created with AI.
The training was made possible through a partnership between Prikkle Academy Rwanda and JUST EQUIPPING, an education-focused organisation that helped link Prikkle Academy Rwanda with Chez Les Bien-Aimés Primary School. Through this collaboration, the two organisations identified the school, mobilised teachers, and created an enabling environment for practical, school-based AI training. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening teacher capacity and introducing innovative, future-ready learning approaches in Rwandan schools.
The training, titled Generative AI for Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning, was conducted over four interactive sessions. Participants learned to use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini to generate lesson objectives, classroom activities, and examples aligned with Rwanda's curriculum. They also adapted AI-generated content to local language, culture, and learner needs across subjects, including mathematics, sciences, and languages.
Several teachers shared their experiences during the graduation. One participant, Okwir Oscar Sam, described how the training had expanded his skills.
'Even though I joined late, I was motivated to try. Learning how to create a website using AI was a completely new experience for me, and I feel I have gained skills that I can now apply in my teaching. I encourage everyone to continue learning and exploring these tools,' he said.
Another teacher, Cubaka Fiat, said the programme had significantly improved his confidence and capabilities.
'There were many things I didn't know before, but now I feel capable of doing much more with AI. Our coach guided us patiently step by step, even interpreting in French when needed. Receiving my certificate today shows how much I've learned, and I'm very thankful for this opportunity,' he said.
Ethical use of AI was a core component of the programme. Teachers were trained to critically review AI outputs, address misinformation and bias, protect student data, and ensure that AI supports learning rather than replacing professional judgement.
Uhuza Munyampenda, co-founder and headmistress of Chez Les Bien-Aimés Primary School, said the training had helped teachers make lessons more structured and engaging.
'Teachers must keep learning to prepare the next generation. This programme has given them new tools to guide students effectively,' she said.
Prikkle Academy Rwanda plans to expand the programme by partnering with more schools, offering advanced training, and reaching schools beyond Kigali, including rural areas.
'This is just the beginning. We hope to partner with more schools and organisations to bring these AI skills to as many teachers as possible,' Damilola said.
'We must adapt to where the world is heading, and training teachers is the first step in ensuring our students are equipped for the future,' he added.
Damilola noted that the programme aligns with Rwanda's broader goal of strengthening teacher capacity and integrating digital technologies into education, while ensuring that AI is used responsibly in classrooms.
Prikkle Academy, which has its roots in Nigeria, has been operating in Rwanda since 2021. The organisation acts as a youth employment catalyst, bridging skills gaps and connecting talent to jobs through training in soft skills, technology, communication, mentorship, networking, and practical workshops. Its goal is to help individuals secure meaningful, high-impact careers and overcome barriers to employment.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
