The deployment of Zimbabwean teachers under a bilateral exchange programme is already yielding significant improvements in English language proficiency among Rwandan students, particularly those in Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs), according to Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education Claudette Irere.

Speaking at the induction ceremony for the second cohort of 143 Zimbabwean specialist educators, who arrived Sunday, Irere highlighted encouraging early results despite the programme’s relatively short duration. “Ordinarily, comprehensive results are evaluated after six years, but after two years for the first cohort, assessments show notable progress in confidence and competence,” she said.

The induction, themed “Cooperation for Enhancing Quality Education,” marked the expansion of a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rwanda and Zimbabwe covering professional exchanges in education, health, and ICT. The first cohort of 154 teachers, deployed three years ago, also attended the event to provide mentorship and continuity.

Irere praised the partnership as a reflection of shared responsibility and urged the new arrivals to uphold professionalism, accountability, ethical conduct, and learner-centred pedagogy while collaborating closely with local educators. Representatives from both cohorts, including George Mandhlazi, Mandindo Wadzanai, and Dhliwayo Emmanuel, reaffirmed their commitment and expressed pride in contributing to Pan-African solidarity.

The programme supports Rwanda’s transition to English-medium instruction, initiated in 2008, by leveraging Zimbabwe’s strong anglophone education system to strengthen language skills and teaching standards.