However, data released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2023 reveals that approximately half of Sub-Saharan African countries continue to experience a 10% dropout rate in primary schools, with the rate increasing to 50% in secondary schools.

Rwanda stands out as a country that has made substantial progress toward achieving universal access to education through its nine-year and 12-year basic programs, initiated since 2009. Under these programs, education is provided free of charge. Statistics indicate that the percentage of individuals who have attended at least secondary school education increased from 5.9% in the past to 10.8% in 2012, and further surged to 15.1% by 2022.

The Citizen Budget Guide, published by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) recently, highlights that the recruitment of new teachers last year was aimed at enhancing the pool of qualified personnel within the education sector. A total of 13,953 teachers and 1,758 head teachers were hired and assigned to their respective positions.

Figures from the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) for the school year 2021/2022 indicate that there were 125,621 school employees, comprising 64,414 men (representing 51.3%) and 61,207 women (equivalent to 48.7%), including both teachers and head teachers. Out of this total, 45,849 were employed in public schools, while 61,463 worked in semi-public institutions.

In May 2023, MINEDUC informed parliamentarians of the need for an additional 8,000 teachers in the upcoming 2023/2024 academic year. The ministry also highlighted a requirement of Rwf484.5 million to cover teachers’ salaries across different districts and Kigali City.

Rwanda recruited over 13,000 teachers in 2022/2023 school year.