Speaking at the 2026 State of Education Conference in Kigali this March 30, 2026, the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, warned that key issues particularly age-grade mismatch, overcrowded classrooms, and slow academic progression remain significant barriers to effective education.
Majority of students not in the right grade
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted is that a large proportion of students are not studying in classes that match their age.
According to the Ministry of Education Rwanda, although over 92% of school-age children are enrolled, only 61% are in age-appropriate grades. More than half of students are older than the expected age for their level of education.
This trend begins early and worsens over time. While many children enroll in primary school, only a small percentage manage to complete secondary education within the expected timeframe.
“Enrolling children in school is not enough; we must ensure they are placed in the right grades and progress effectively,” Minister Nsengimana stressed.
Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana
The situation is even more concerning at higher levels. In lower secondary education, only 15% of students are in the correct age group, while at upper secondary level, the figure drops sharply to just 9.5%.
Experts warn that this mismatch not only affects academic performance but also increases the likelihood of dropout, limits students’ confidence, and delays their transition into the workforce.
Slow progression and repetition undermine outcomes
Closely linked to age-grade mismatch is the issue of slow progression through the education system.
A significant number of students repeat classes or take longer than expected to advance, creating a bottleneck that affects both individual learners and the overall efficiency of the system.
Although the government has introduced interventions such as the Nzamurabushobozi Program which has helped reduce repetition rates by 6%, the scale of the problem remains considerable.
“Progression across all levels remains a challenge, with direct consequences on students’ performance and the future of our youth,” the Minister noted.
Overcrowded classrooms strain learning environment
Overcrowding, particularly in early education, continues to undermine teaching quality and student engagement.
Data from MINEDUC shows that nursery schools have an average of 68 children per class, far exceeding the national target of 57. In primary schools, classrooms host an average of 61 pupils, slightly above the recommended 59.
Such conditions make it difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention and effectively manage classrooms, especially in foundational years that are critical for literacy and numeracy development.
Despite the construction of over 27,500 classrooms between 2017 and 2024, rapid population growth and increased enrollment have kept pressure on available infrastructure.
System under strain despite expansion
Rwanda currently has thousands of schools across all levels, yet the imbalance between access and quality remains evident.
While enrollment has expanded rapidly with more than 4.5 million students in the system, this growth has exposed systemic gaps in ensuring that students learn effectively and progress smoothly.
The challenges are particularly acute in early childhood and primary education, where foundational skills are built, but also ripple into secondary and technical education levels.
Urgent need to shift from access to quality
The discussions at the conference underscored a critical turning point for Rwanda’s education sector: moving beyond access to focus on learning outcomes and system efficiency.
Officials emphasized that without addressing age-grade mismatch, overcrowding, and progression delays, the country risks undermining the long-term benefits of its impressive enrollment achievements.
The presence of senior leaders, including ministers responsible for local government, gender, and public service, highlighted the need for coordinated action across sectors.
As Rwanda continues to invest in education, the challenge ahead is clear ensuring that every child not only attends school, but learns effectively, progresses on time, and is equipped for the future.
