Edt partners with UNICEF and Rwanda’s Ministry of Education to develop accelerated learning curriculum framework for 1.1 million out-of-school youth

In recent years, Rwanda’s education sector has achieved significant progress in access, quality, and relevance – yet, despite ongoing efforts, challenges remain. Out of the country’s 3.5 million young people, 28% are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). While this challenge is not unique to Rwanda, the country’s Ministry of Education recognises the critical need to support its out-of-school youth, especially secondary school dropouts, by linking the curriculum with labour market needs and providing flexible, accessible, and individualised pathways. 

RISE Rwanda is designed to provide nationally accredited and technology-enabled flexible alternative pathways to secondary education for out-of-school youth who lack formal education qualifications. By 2035, the programme is expected to support 1.1 million of these young people to acquire secondary education equivalency and vocational skills, so they are ready to enter the world of work. In particular, it will focus on marginalised young people including girls, young people with disabilities, and refugees, through targeted interventions. 

Edt will support UNICEF and the Ministry of Education with their objectives for the RISE Rwanda programme, working closely with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), the National Examination and Schools Inspection Authority (NESA), and the Rwanda TVET board. We will work alongside these partners to develop a curriculum framework for accelerated education to support over-age learners, school dropouts, young mothers, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The curriculum on RISE Rwanda will address gaps in digital skills, English language proficiency, and vocational expertise, as well as basic education competencies in mathematics, science, and humanities. 

To achieve the programme’s objectives, we will draw on our extensive experience in working collaboratively and flexibly with UNICEF, our previous work in Rwanda, and our proven expertise developing curriculum frameworks and alternative pathways for out-of-school youth. 

An accelerated education programme is a flexible, age-appropriate programme, run in an accelerated time frame and using teaching and learning approaches that match learners’ abilities. This framework will contribute to the realisation of the Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-income nation by 2035 and a high-income nation by 2050, through sustained economic growth and a high quality of life for all citizens. RISE Rwanda also resonates with Africa’s commitment to address the challenge of out-of-school youth through accelerated learning – the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026-2035) emphasises creating alternative, accelerated learning, and adult literacy programmes to re-engage those who have left school. 

“Through this assignment, edt is demonstrating its commitment to increasing life chances by working with the Rwandan government to ensure that every learner – in and out of school – is equipped to live a fulfilling and successful life. We are proud to partner with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education in Rwanda to carry out this important work to prepare young people for the future in a changing world.” 

Sabine Nguini, Director of Consultancy, edt

Secondary and vocational education equips young people with the critical knowledge and skills needed to secure decent-paying jobs and contribute meaningfully to economic transformation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this programme for young people across Rwanda.