ICT POLICY IN EDUCATION
The Ministry of Education mission “to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human capital for the socio-economic development of the country by ensuring equitable access to quality education focusing on combating illiteracy, promotion of science and technology, critical thinking, and positive values”. To achieve this mission, the use of ICT is very important because ICT in education has been seen as a strategic lever to improve the quality of education.
The goal of ICT policy in Education is to further access, equity, quality and relevance, as the key principles underpinning Rwanda’s ICT and education policies. Promoting ICT to provide access to education for all and quality education that is relevant with regard to the labor market is the foundation of this Policy and Strategic Plan at the core of ESSP and ICT in Education Policy.
This policy calls for the implementation of four strategic objectives which are the following:
ü Develop a competent & relevant ICT professional base to meet industry needs
ü Develop Education leadership and teachers’ capacity and capability in and through ICT
ü Increase ICT penetration and usage at all educational levels
ü Enhance teaching, learning & research through ICT integration in HLIs
The Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) calls for 3 strategic goals to be addressed for education to fulfill its potential in the development of Rwanda.
· To expand access to education at all levels:
· To improve the quality of education and training:
· To strengthen the relevance of education and training to the labor market including the insertion of 21st century skills
The government of Rwanda has aimed at moving our country from an agriculture based economy to a knowledge-based society “and middle-income country. We need to use an improved technology in education as well as in all sectors. Therefore, primary, secondary, TVET and Higher Education educators have to use ICTs in their teaching and learning practices.
Since 2008, MINEDUC has implemented the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program at primary schools and computer labs for secondary schools. For example, 250,000 One Laptop per Child (OLPC) devices were deployed in 764 schools. Now, MINEDUC is shifting from One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) to the concept of a “Smart Classroom” following changing technology, to reduce costs and increase access and equity.
As 21st century global citizens, we need to develop the following skills: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration and Visualization to succeed and thrive in today’s complex and technology-based global economy.
We have to prepare our current youth for a workplace where ICT tools such as computers, Internet and other related technologies, are present and available to everyone. This will include technological literacy and the ability to use ICTs effectively and efficiently to provide a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized job market at the local, regional and international level.