Rwanda has given a five-month deadline to a well-known Belgian school in Kigali to stop teaching the Belgian curriculum.
This decision has raised concerns among students, parents, and diplomats, marking a shift in Rwanda’s approach to foreign-led education.
The government made the decision after a review of the school’s curriculum and how it aligns with Rwanda’s education goals and national values. Officials said the content being taught did not meet local expectations and failed to support the country’s broader strategy for building a strong, unified education system.
The change was ordered by Rwandan authorities who have grown more focused on self-reliance in recent years. The move appears to be part of a broader effort to reduce external influence in key sectors, including education, and to promote systems that reflect Rwanda’s identity and direction.
The affected school has been given five months to stop teaching the Belgian programme. While it can continue operating, it will need to adopt a new curriculum that is either Rwandan or internationally accepted and approved by the Ministry of Education. This transition will affect hundreds of students, many of whom are from diplomatic or international families.
For now, the school’s leadership has not announced its next steps, but families are already exploring other options. Some parents are worried about how this sudden shift might affect their children’s education, especially those close to graduating. Others are waiting to see if an alternative system will be allowed.
This decision comes at a time when relations between Rwanda and Belgium remain delicate, shaped by a complicated colonial past. Although cooperation in some areas continues, education appears to be a space where Rwanda wants more control.
The government has not closed the door to international schools. However, it has made it clear that they must operate within a framework that supports national goals. The coming months will show whether the Belgian school adapts or if families will be forced to find new schools. The situation reflects Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to shape its future through decisions that place local priorities first.