Rwanda Basic Education Board Director General, Dr Nelson Mbarushimana, highlighted the alignment between the Teacher Training Programme and government policies aimed at improving the quality of education, especially in science and mathematics. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) programme graduated 420 newly trained teachers and awarded teachers and educational leaders from 14 Leaders in Teaching Initiative districts and schools participating in the Pan African Mathematical Olympiads. The event aimed to promote a culture of appreciation for science and mathematics teachers and motivate teachers. The AIMS programme offers professional development courses, classroom resources, and technology-equipped classrooms for teachers to improve the quality of science and mathematics education. The programme also focuses on addressing gender stereotypes that discourage girls from studying science and mathematics. The initiative is crucial in enhancing the quality of education in Rwanda, and the government’s commitment to improving STEM education will contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development goals.
AIMS Rwanda Awards Over 200 STEM Teachers
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Rwanda (AIMS) collaborated with Mastercard Foundation and Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) to honor more than 200 science and mathematics teachers from all over Rwanda in its Teacher Training Programme. The awarding ceremony took place on March 26, 2023. The objective of the ceremony was to appreciate and motivate teachers for their contributions to the country’s education system.
Prof Sam Yala, the Centre President of AIMS Rwanda, stated that the award ceremony aimed to promote a culture of appreciation and increase motivation in teaching and learning science and mathematics among teachers. This was the third edition of the award ceremony, which is part of the AIMS Teacher Training Programme. The initiative aims to enhance the learning outcomes in mathematics and science for secondary school students across 14 districts in Rwanda.
Yala mentioned that the Teacher Training Programme has four pillars. The first pillar is training the teachers and master trainers. Second is learning material resources and ICT support, where schools are provided with science kits and smart classrooms. The third pillar is public engagement and outreach, and the teacher awards programme is part of this pillar. The fourth pillar is evidence collection for policy dialogue.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the programme is that it aims to address gender stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing science and mathematics. Yala emphasized that the project’s objective is to increase the number of young girls and boys who opt for STEM subjects. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are key fields for a country’s socio-economic development. Improving the quality of STEM education, especially among girls, will contribute to the country’s development.
The AIMS Teacher Training Programme offers professional development courses for in-service teachers, classroom resources, and technology-equipped classrooms. These are designed to enhance the teaching and learning of science and mathematics and increase student transition to STEM education at the tertiary level and future careers. The programme aims to increase the quality of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In conclusion, AIMS Rwanda’s initiative to award science and mathematics teachers is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of education in Rwanda. The Teacher Training Programme’s unique approach to addressing gender stereotypes and improving the quality of STEM education will help the country to achieve its socio-economic development goals.
Rwanda Honors Teachers and Graduates of AIMS Programme
Rwanda Basic Education Board Director General, Dr Nelson Mbarushimana, said that initiatives such as the Teacher Training Programme are aligned with government policies to improve the quality of education, particularly in science and mathematics. The annual teacher awards ceremony, sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, was held on March 26 in Kigali, marking the third edition of the event. The ceremony also saw 420 newly trained teachers graduate from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) programme.
The awards ceremony recognizes teachers and educational leaders from 14 Leaders in Teaching Initiative (LIT) districts, where the AIMS programme is being implemented, and from schools participating in the Pan African Mathematical Olympiads (PAMO). The event aims to motivate teachers and promote a culture of appreciation for science and mathematics educators in Rwanda.
Mediatrice Niyonizera, an awarded teacher from Nyanza District, shared her experience after completing the AIMS training. She said that before the training, she used to teach mathematics more theoretically, but with the training, she gained sufficient knowledge and materials to teach maths using more practical methods. Fidele Tuyishime, a teacher from Nyamasheke District, expressed gratitude for the ICT training he received during the programme. He said that before the training, they used pens and chalk, but now they can use projectors, computers, and ICT rooms to enhance teaching and learning.
Emmanuel Hamez, CEO of Airtel Rwanda, expressed pride in sponsoring the AIMS programme. He said that mathematics is vital, particularly in the ICT and telecom sector, and that mathematics will play a significant role in the future, given the rise of artificial intelligence and algorithms. Hamez emphasized the importance of promoting STEM education and providing high-quality internet in schools, which Airtel will continue to work on with AIMS by the end of 2023.
The AIMS Teacher Training Programme offers professional development courses, classroom resources, and technology-equipped classrooms for teachers to improve the quality of science and mathematics education. The programme aims to increase student transition to STEM education at the tertiary level and future careers. One of the programme’s unique aspects is its focus on addressing gender stereotypes that discourage girls from studying science and mathematics.
In conclusion, the annual teacher awards ceremony and AIMS programme are significant initiatives in enhancing the quality of science and mathematics education in Rwanda. The programme’s focus on addressing gender stereotypes and promoting practical teaching methods using ICT is vital in improving learning outcomes and motivating teachers. The government’s commitment to improving the quality of education in science and mathematics is a significant step towards achieving the country’s socio-economic development goals.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
