Leaders in Teaching in Rwanda

Leaders in Teaching in Rwanda

Project summary

There is an urgent need to strengthen the quality and relevance of secondary-level teaching and learning in sub-Saharan Africa. This challenge has accelerated over the last couple of decades due to increased demand for secondary education the increasing number of jobs requiring knowledge and skills relevant to 21st century challenges the rapid growth of emerging economies and the introduction of new technologies. In response to these challenges the Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching (LIT) Initiative aims to transform teaching and learning in secondary education across Africa so that young people can have the skills and competencies they need to succeed in work and life.

As learning partners on the LIT Initiative the REAL Centre in collaboration with Laterite a Rwandan-based research and advisory firm aims to develop robust quantitative and qualitative evidence on how the LIT programme is working overall to improve the quality of teaching and student learning in secondary schools particularly for those who are most at risk of not learning.

The LIT initiative aims to support teachers over the entire lifespan of their careers and engages multiple levels of the secondary education system. In doing this its interventions are structured around four pillars:

1. Recruit: Recruiting bright and committed young people into the teaching profession

2. Train: Supporting improvements to the quality of teaching and learning through strengthened teacher training and professional development

3. Lead: Strengthening educational leadership

4. Motivate: Promoting the teaching profession and motivating teachers through recognition and public engagement.

Evidence generated through this project will both be used to facilitate continuous improvement within the LIT programme as well as provide wider lessons for improving the quality of teaching other contexts.

Research team

Principal Investigator: Professor Pauline Rose

Co-Investigators: Professor Ricardo Sabates Professor Nidhi Singal

Senior Research Associate: Dr Tony Onwuegbuzie

Research Associate: Dr Emma Carter

Country Research Partner: Laterite

Leaders in Teaching Implementing Partners: African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS); Carnegie Mellon University Africa; Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda (IEE); UNICEF; University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE); VVOB-Education for Development

Duration

December 2018 - December 2023

Funder

Mastercard Foundation

Publications

Using teacher assessments to understand teacher pedagogical knowledge in Rwanda
Ani-Asamoah B. Arenge G. Carter E. and Rose P. 2021.
Leaders in Teaching Research and Policy Series

What makes a 'good teacher' and constitutes 'quality teaching': practitioner perspectives from Rwandan secondary schools
Carter E. Onwuegbuzie A. Singal N. and van der Velde L. 2021
Leaders in Teaching Research and Policy Series

Effects of school closures on secondary school teachers and school leaders in Rwanda: Results from a phone survey
Carter E. Leonard P. Nzaramba S. and Rose P. 2021
Leaders in Teaching Research and Policy Series.

Video recordings of classroom observations: Using the Teach tool in Rwandan secondary schools
Carter E. Rose P. Ani-Asamoah B. Leonard P. and Colenbrander K. 2020.
Leaders in Teaching Research and Policy Series.

Blogs

Effects of school closures on secondary school teachers and leaders in Rwanda: Results from a phone survey
Laterite and REAL Centre UKFIET 12 January 2021

Celebrating World Teachers Day: Reflections from Leaders in Teaching initiative in Rwanda
Laterite and REAL Centre Laterite 2 October 2020

Using the Teach classroom observations tool in Rwanda
Laterite and REAL Centre Laterite 2 October 2020

Improving teaching quality in Rwanda during COVID-19: Emerging opportunities for learning and research
Laterite and REAL Centre Laterite 15 September 2020

Research Tools

Teacher pedagogical content knowledge test

Further information

For further information see the Mastercard Founsdation's website: Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching Initiative.