On Sunday, 19 July 2026, BK Arena came alive with excitement as 120 of Rwanda's brightest young speakers, joined by their parents, teachers, education leaders, and distinguished guests, gathered for the National Grand Finale of the inaugural ORATOR National English Competition. Organised by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) in collaboration with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), the competition marked a major milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen English proficiency, public speaking, and leadership among learners. After progressing through school, sector, and district competitions, the finalists took to the national stage to showcase their confidence, critical thinking, and communication skills, with 30 outstanding students ultimately earning the opportunity to participate in a two-week English immersion and leadership programme in the United Kingdom in August 2026.

The arena buzzed with anticipation as contestants proudly represented their schools and districts after months of preparation and competition. More than just an academic contest, ORATOR was a celebration of confidence, communication, critical thinking, and leadership. It reflected Rwanda's commitment to nurturing a generation of young people who can confidently express themselves in English while preparing for opportunities in higher education, the workplace, and the global community.

The ORATOR competition was launched in May 2026, with participation from public and government-aided secondary schools nationwide. The initiative targeted learners in both lower and upper secondary education, excluding students in their final year of each level. Throughout the competition, participants demonstrated their communication abilities through a variety of public speaking activities, including prepared speeches, persuasive presentations, and other structured speaking challenges.

The journey to BK Arena was one of determination and resilience. Beginning at school level, students first competed against their peers before advancing to sector and district competitions. Each district selected its top four contestants to represent it at the National Championship in Kigali. Before stepping onto the national stage, the finalists also participated in a three-day residential training camp beginning on 14 July 2026, where they further developed their communication, leadership, and public speaking skills.

As the opening ceremony officially commenced, the atmosphere inside BK Arena shifted from excitement to inspiration. The audience had gathered to witness outstanding performances, but the event quickly revealed itself as something much greater than a competition. It was a national movement dedicated to giving young people the confidence to speak, the courage to lead, and the opportunity to shape Rwanda's future through effective communication.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, congratulated the finalists and commended the teachers, parents, education leaders, and partners whose dedication had contributed to the success of the inaugural competition. He emphasized that ORATOR is intended to leave a lasting impact on schools long after the competition ends.

"The ORATOR Program is not just a competition," the Minister said. "Every school should also have an English Club where students can continuously practise and improve their English language skills. We will continue working closely with organizations such as iDebate Rwanda to support learners on their journey toward greater English proficiency."

The Minister explained that developing English proficiency is not simply about speaking another language; it is fundamental to improving learning across the education system. Since English is the language of instruction in Rwanda's schools, students who communicate confidently in English are better positioned to understand lessons, participate actively in class, and excel in other academic subjects.

"English is the language of instruction in our schools," he noted. "When learners have a strong command of English, they find it easier to understand other subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and many more."

He further explained that the ORATOR Competition complements the Ministry of Education's broader strategy to strengthen English proficiency nationwide. Alongside initiatives that empower learners, the Ministry continues to invest in training teachers, equipping them with the English language and pedagogical skills needed to create more effective learning environments.

While acknowledging the encouraging progress demonstrated by the contestants, the Minister reminded learners that excellence is achieved through continuous effort.

"We still have a long journey ahead of us," he said. "We must continue working even harder. When you try something and do not succeed, you should not give up. Instead, you learn from the experience and come back stronger. That is why some students won today while others did not progress this time, but they should remain determined because success is always possible in the future."

His message resonated deeply throughout the arena, inspiring not only the finalists but also thousands of young people watching across the country. It reinforced the central purpose of ORATOR; to build a culture where English communication, public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership become an integral part of everyday learning rather than activities reserved for competitions alone.

The event also marked the official conclusion of the inaugural competition as winners were announced and recognised for their exceptional performances. Although only 30 students earned the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom for a two-week English immersion and leadership programme in August 2026, every one of the 120 national finalists received a scholarship covering school fees for the next academic year in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Among the award recipients, 15 students were selected from the lower secondary category and 15 from the upper secondary category to participate in the international programme.

In the upper secondary category, ABATONI Keza Briella of ENDP Karubanda was crowned the national champion in English public speaking, while MUTARA Anabella from Lycée Notre Dame de Cîteaux emerged as the winner in the lower secondary category after impressing both judges and the audience with her confidence and eloquence.

Reflecting on her achievement, MUTARA Anabella described the award as both an honour and a responsibility to continue improving herself while inspiring others.

"I hope this achievement encourages my fellow students to work hard as well," she said. "My parent played a very important role in encouraging us to learn English. I would also like to encourage teachers and fellow learners to remember that studying English alone is not enough. We must also practise speaking it regularly because that is how we truly become confident."

Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Abdallah UTUMATWISHIMA, Minister of Youth and Arts, encouraged young people to recognise English proficiency as an essential tool for accessing educational, leadership, and employment opportunities.

"Many government programmes target young people between the ages of 16 and 30," he said. "You may develop an excellent innovation or technology project, but if you cannot confidently explain it in English during a competition or presentation, someone with a less innovative idea but stronger communication skills may succeed instead."

He also encouraged young people to participate in the upcoming Intore mu Biruhuko programme, describing it as an opportunity for personal growth and positive engagement during the school holidays.

As celebrations concluded at BK Arena, one message stood above all others: ORATOR is far more than a competition. It is a national investment in Rwanda's future; a platform that nurtures confident communicators, courageous leaders, and globally competitive young citizens.

The success of this inaugural edition was made possible through the collective efforts of the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), The National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), teachers, parents, schools, and development partners whose unwavering support transformed an ambitious vision into reality. Special appreciation goes to RwandAir, Inyange Industries, Efecta, UNICEF Rwanda, Umwalimu SACCO, and iDebate Rwanda, whose generous financial and institutional support helped create an unforgettable experience for Rwanda's young speakers.

As the lights dimmed inside BK Arena, the voices that had echoed across the arena did not fade. They travelled back to classrooms, English Clubs, debate societies, and communities throughout the country, carrying with them a powerful message: “Every learner has a voice, every voice deserves to be heard, and every confident speaker has the potential to shape Rwanda's future”.

The Journey to the National Stage

As the Minister concluded his address, the atmosphere inside BK Arena shifted from inspiration to anticipation. The audience had heard the vision behind ORATOR. Now, it was time to witness that vision come alive through the voices of Rwanda's brightest young communicators. Every seat in the arena faced the stage with eager expectation, waiting for the finalists to demonstrate the confidence, knowledge, and eloquence that had brought them to this defining moment.

The contestants who stood backstage represented more than individual achievement. They were the finest young speakers selected from thousands of learners who had participated in the inaugural ORATOR Competition across Rwanda. Each finalist carried the pride of a school, a district, and an entire community that had supported them throughout their journey. For many, reaching BK Arena was the fulfilment of months of preparation, perseverance, and determination.

Their journey had begun at school level, where learners voluntarily participated in essay-writing competitions centred on themes that reflected Rwanda's national priorities. They explored subjects such as youth leadership, innovation, technology, education, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, responsible digital citizenship, tourism, and national development. Through these assignments, students were encouraged not only to improve their English but also to think critically about issues shaping their communities and the future of their country.

The strongest participants then advanced to oral presentations before school judging panels, where they transformed carefully written essays into persuasive speeches. It was at this stage that confidence began to emerge alongside language proficiency. Students learned to command an audience, organise their thoughts logically, and communicate ideas with clarity and conviction.

From schools, the competition expanded to sector level, where outstanding speakers met contestants from neighbouring schools. The challenge became even greater as learners competed in persuasive speaking and structured communication rounds before experienced judges and education stakeholders. Those who excelled earned the opportunity to represent their sectors at district competitions, where only the very best would secure a coveted place in the National Championship.

By the time the finalists arrived at BK Arena, they had already overcome several rigorous stages of competition. They had conquered nervousness, refined their pronunciation, strengthened their arguments, and developed the confidence required to speak before increasingly larger audiences. Their presence on the national stage was not a matter of chance; it was the result of discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

One of the defining strengths of the ORATOR initiative was its commitment to inclusivity. The competition welcomed learners from public secondary schools, government-aided schools, and TVET institutions, ensuring that opportunities to develop spoken English reached students from diverse educational backgrounds. It also promoted balanced participation between girls and boys, reflecting Rwanda's commitment to gender equality and equal access to educational opportunities.

As Hon. Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana emphasized, ORATOR is not simply a competition but a catalyst for establishing vibrant English Clubs in schools and strengthening learners' ability to communicate effectively. Together with ongoing teacher training programmes and continued collaboration with partners, the initiative is laying a stronger foundation for quality education, improved learning outcomes, and a generation of confident communicators ready to seize opportunities in Rwanda, across Africa, and beyond.

The inaugural ORATOR Competition Season One will therefore be remembered not merely for the trophies that were awarded or the champions who emerged, but for the powerful message it delivered; that every young Rwandan has a voice that deserves to be heard. On that memorable Sunday, 19 July 2026, BK Arena became more than a venue for a competition. It became the birthplace of a national movement that is nurturing articulate, confident, and globally competitive young leaders who will shape Rwanda's future through the power of words.

Indeed, the voices that echoed through BK Arena that day did not fade with the closing ceremony. They continue to resonate in classrooms, English Clubs, debate forums, and communities across the country, reminding every learner that confidence begins with finding one's voice, and that the future belongs to those who dare to speak with purpose.

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