On 18th February 2024, Awareness campaign of English Competitions and English Proficiency organized by Rwanda Basic Education Board takes place at TTC De la Salle BYUMBA through different games in various disciplines.

The government of Rwanda is supporting Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development which has the core objective of improving teacher competency, student retention and learning in basic education.

In his remarks, Director General of Rwanda Basic Education Board Dr. Mbarushimana Nelson says that REB will continue to ensure quality of education and strengthen the preparation of pre-service teachers and develop model schools to support innovative instructional practices.

“We know that the foundation of teaching and learning bases on preparing capable and skilled future teachers by equipping them with enough ICT materials which will help them to access REB e-learning platform where they can improve their English skills such as speaking, listening, writing and reading.  TTCs  Principals, English and ICT tutors will play a pivotal role in supporting student-teachers in use REB e-learning platform to access English proficiency modules and English competitions and we wish that student–teachers graduate from TTCs need to be at least Intermediate Level (B2) of English Proficiency.” Dr. Nelson says

In English competition at TTC de la Salle by which the motion is “Technology has brought more harm than good”, students speaks fluently and it is observed that they do research and use their smart classrooms.

We are here to launch English competitions through playing different games and we assure you that it will continue in the course of this term and third term. We request ICT tutors to avail rooms of ICT such that students access English Proficiency modules and assist them with available internet, for them to graduate and be awarded with English Proficiency Certificate after finishing the six modules as it is required. DG REB adds.

Mayor of GICUMBI district, Madam UWERA Parfaite thanks the government of Rwanda for upgrading TTCs in different aspects including infrastructures in order to effectively prepare future Rwandan teachers, who are able to improve the quality of education in Rwanda. “What we observed here, are at the high level, we highly appreciate.” Mayor says. 

“I thank the government of Rwanda through Rwanda Basic Education Board for different programs launched in TTCs to enable students become qualified and productive future teachers. English Proficiency Program which has made us gather here today, is now taking place, the Primary Teacher Residence Program (PTRP) is empowering our future teachers by sharpening them to become exceptional teachers in the years to come which will help our future generation to have teachers who are able to teach them in English as it is a language of instruction in the Rwandan educational system. Digital literacy program which will enable our future teachers to use ICT in their daily activities including teaching and learning activities without forgetting robotics; the program which will help our students to use advanced technology in different activities”. Mayor says.

“We know that the government of Rwanda is supporting TTCs to improve the enrolment and performance level. This includes paying 50% of the school fees each student should pay. This support has led to the increase in number of students enrolled in TTC de la Salle BYUMBA from 690 students in 2018 to 900 students in 2024. This is taking place with the enrolled students whose performance level is good, compared to the previous years and this will help the country to have a big number of qualified teachers.” She adds.

“All of these programs highlighted, are taking place here and are some of the initiatives that are leading us to the country we want in the future. We really thank Rwanda Basic Education Board for your efforts you always put in to meet our goals.” She underlines.

ISARO RUKIZANGABO Darlene, a student-teacher in Y2 SME at TTC De la Salle, on behalf of student-teachers appreciates the efforts that the government puts in empowering TTCs in different areas to improve the quality of education. These include; English proficiency program, project-based learning program, digital literacy program, sports in TTCs, inclusive education program and equipping TTC laboratories in sciences among many others.

“We are lucky that the English proficiency program is now going on in TTCs to keep empowering student teachers in English language. This program will help us to be able to teach our respective subjects using English as a language of instruction. We know that English language is a cornerstone of Rwandan educational system. We are enjoying this program as our tutors are doing their best to support us. We ensure you, DG REB, that we will put in all our efforts for this program to be successful”. She says

Student-teachers have started the digital literacy program to develop their ICT skills that will help them to carry out their teaching activities using ICT. This program will also support student teachers to get familiar with ICT devices. It will also help us to integrate ICT in teaching activities.

“We are pleased to let you know that sports in TTCs is a culture. Our leaders are good examples to us in doing sports. Here, we can give the example of TTC de La Salle.  We always do morning running sports  (mucaka) every Saturday morning and we have gymnastics every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after class among other sports we do play here.” Isaro says.

In the awareness campaign of English Competitions and English Proficiency Training of Student-Teachers, the results from different games are follow:  REB staff wins TTCs staff 3-1 in Volleyball, TTC Nyamata beats TTC Matimba 43-24 points in Basketball, TTC Kirambo wins TTC Muhanga 2-1 in Football (Girls) then in Handball, TTC De la Salle beats TTC Kabarore 34 -13 goals