News

For nearly seven years, the Mastercard Foundation–funded Leaders in Teaching (LIT) project has played a transformative role at the University of Rwanda–College of Education (UR-CE). Implemented in partnership with the University of Rwanda, the project substantially strengthened secondary education by elevating teacher preparation, enhancing digital readiness, and promoting a vibrant research culture within the College.

From the outset, the project focused on four strategic priorities : aligning pre-service teacher education with Rwanda’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) ; revitalising practicum opportunities to ensure student teachers acquire real classroom experience ; enhancing ICT integration in teaching and learning ; and building the research capacity of academic staff through tailored support and competitive grants.

Mastercard Foundation-LIT has heavily invested in smart education

Significant progress was made in strengthening CBC-aligned teacher training. All 36 subject-specific teaching modules were revised to fully reflect the learner-centred philosophy of the CBC, ensuring that graduates are better prepared to apply active, competency-based teaching methods in secondary schools. Academic staff benefited from targeted capacity-building initiatives that equipped them with modern pedagogical strategies and tools adapted to the curriculum reforms. These efforts contributed to a more consistent and effective delivery of pre-service teacher training across the College.

Alongside curriculum enhancement, the practicum and school attachment components experienced major improvements. The introduction of a validated practicum observation tool strengthened the supervision and feedback provided to student teachers. The establishment of a modern micro-teaching room at UR Rukara Campus further enriched hands-on learning, enabling students to practise teaching techniques in a controlled environment before going into classrooms. More than 1,600 student teachers have already benefitted from these upgraded practicum experiences, supported by strengthened mentorship from UR-CE academic staff.

Digital transformation formed one of the most remarkable achievements of the project. For example, the project provided laptops to all UR-CE lecturers, equipped computers labs both at UR Rukara and Nyagatare Campuses. Through the installation of fully equipped SMART classrooms and interactive smartboards, teaching and learning were modernised, making technology-assisted pedagogy more accessible to both staff and students. The development of over 500 modules uploaded to the UR e-Learning platform expanded opportunities for flexible learning. The establishment of a cutting-edge Digital Media Unit—equipped with audio-visual production tools—became a central resource for developing high-quality digital education content, benefitting not only UR-CE but also other University of Rwanda colleges at large. Additional upgrades such as video-conferencing systems and improved science laboratory equipment further enhanced the College’s digital and practical teaching capacity.
The project also made notable contributions to strengthening research across the College. Through competitive research funding, mentorship, and academic exchange initiatives, academic staff were empowered to undertake studies on key secondary education themes. This support resulted in 30 funded research projects, 21 peer-reviewed publications, and numerous conference presentations at national and international levels. These achievements reflect a growing research culture that positions UR-CE as a key contributor to Rwanda’s evidence-based educational development.

The LIT project delivered results that will benefit the institution long after its completion. Its impactful journey was celebrated during the official closure event held on 30 October 2025 at UR Gikondo Campus, marking the beginning of a new chapter for innovative, research-driven, and digitally enhanced teacher education in Rwanda.

Story by
NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
PRO, UR-CE