June 2017 to July 2023
After six years, our Building Learning Foundations (BLF) project in Rwanda has drawn to a close. Reaching over 5 million children, the project has worked with schools, teacher training colleges and the Rwandan Government to ensure that children leave school with the literacy and numeracy skills they need to prosper in life.
VSO's role
Working with communities, VSO volunteers trained and mentored English teachers, maths teachers and head teachers, as well as lead on the design, planning and delivery of inclusive education in 3,210 schools.
At a regional level, VSO built the capacity of district and sub-district officials using a data-informed approach to evaluation of implementation of foundational education activities and managed partnerships with all 30 district authorities. The projects main aim was to improve learning outcomes in primary levels one to three, in English and Maths.
What we achieved
Overall we reached
5 million children surpassing our target of 4 million.
30,000 teachers. We also reached 9,621 school subject leaders, 2,650 school-based mentors, 3,210 school leaders and 40 school inspectors.
13,250 parents.
508 education system officials.
Project outcomes
English outcomes
- The percentage of P1-P3 learners who achieved grade proficiency increased by 35 percent points.
- 54% of male and 53% of female learners achieving grade proficiency.
Maths outcomes
- The percentage of P1-P3 learners who achieved grade proficiency increased by 23 percent points.
- 46% of male and 47% of female learners achieved grade proficiency.
Teacher development
- 90% of Mathematics teachers and 69% English teachers are reaching benchmark competency, a 59 percent point increase in English and 63 percent point increase in maths.
- 71% of female English teachers and 91% female maths teachers reached competency, compared to 66% male English teachers and 87% male Maths teachers.
Championing inclusive education
A system-strengthening approach involved pioneering two inclusive education system roles, Special Needs Education Coordinator and Inclusive Education Focal Teacher.
- 69% of P1-P3 English teachers achieved inclusive teaching competence, an increase of 59 percent points.
- 90% of P1-P3 Mathematics teachers achieved inclusive teaching competence up from 27% at baseline.
- 25% increase in amount of teachers recognising pupils with special educational needs and providing them with support, the biggest overall improvement out of the 13 components of teaching measured.
- 500 schools adopted systematic assessment practices for children with disabilities and special education needs (SEN) with at least one school in all but one of the 416 sectors in Rwanda.
Empowering girls
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) has helped us to understand that our children can do many things, just like other children. Our children are happy that someone cares.Parent
As part of the project, girls' clubs were set up in 42 schools to provide a safe space for girls to come together, learn life skills, build their confidence and improve their school performance.
Since being part of the girls clubs:
- 77% of girls feel completely confident in their academic ability up from 48% prior to the project.
- 92% of girls now want to complete university studies up from 71%.
- 94% of girls believe girls and boys are equally skilled in STEM up from 29%.
Continuing the BLF legacy
Let’s Learn Through Play (Twigire Mumikino Rwanda)
Championing play as a tool for creative, engaged and resilient learners in Rwanda.
BLF has had a significant influence on another VSO Rwanda project, Twigire Mumikino Rwanda (TMR) which translates to Let’s Learn Through Play.
Funded by LEGO Foundation, the project adopts a similar teacher-led approach to professional development at a school level.
Like BLF, the project also is developing inclusive practices through the support of SNECOs and Inclusive Education Focal Teachers, whilst also leveraging the existing relationships with school leaders and teachers developed during the BLF project.
Find out more
Building Learning Foundations
Developing long-term, sustainable solutions to improve basic teaching for every child in Rwanda.
How one volunteer is making a difference to school children in Rwanda
Melba Pyne, 56, from Colombia, recounts her experience volunteering with VSO in Rwanda where she coached head teachers, both in country and remotely, after the pandemic cut her placement short.
Inclusive education
Making sure everyone gets the skills they need to live a fulfilled, dignified life.
We helped over 3.2 million people to access the quality education they deserve in 2022-23.
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