Most schools in Rwanda are forced to resort to the copy-and-memorize education style that discourages young minds from learning, and creates no incentive to stay in school – the mean attendance is 3.3 years. For over a decade, TEACH Rwanda (TR) has been mentoring teachers in Rwanda in cutting-edge educational techniques that transform the way children learn. Though familiar to many in the Global North, these are revolutionary in Rwanda: learning through play, critical thinking skills, respect for the child, and fostering curiosity and a love of learning. In that time, TR has pieced together borrowed buildings, and a few ad hoc structures that form a demonstration school. But for Rwandans, these educational practices must be seen to be believed, not just described. Architecture can make TR’s teaching philosophy tangible and visible. TR has engaged GAC to plan, design and construct spaces that dovetail with their teaching methods, making expansive education and good design accessible to all; and KTG to tell their story. TR’s interactive learning style requires unique spaces: that encourage students to get messy; give them freedom to rearrange for the best learning results; experiment with and put to practice their newly gained knowledge; and engage and care for the environment. When built, this demonstration school will become a hub of quality and affordable education and further catalyze a transformative learning culture across the country.  

The project is not just one demonstration school but a vital tool in the transformation of the Rwandan education system. The project will add 12 classrooms and more than double the number of children from 160 to 350 students, whilst retaining class sizes of 20-25. A new kitchen, bakery and a multipurpose room/ cafeteria will serve school lunch, and generate income to pay for scholarships. A vegetable gardens will secure food access. The teacher mentoring center will create more opportunities to share educational best practice. TR’s evidence-based, learning-through-play curriculum prepares Rwandan teachers in modern preschool teaching practices, which were required by the 2016 federal curriculum. The teaching style is so counter to the usual Rwandan education practices that it must be seen to be believed. A demonstration of lively, energetic and engaged children, practicing critical thinking skills, is the only way to convince teachers that this is attainable for Rwanda. Having seen it, teachers are willing to learn new practices that respect the child, and foster a love of learning and curiosity that will last a lifetime. Furthermore, the project team agrees that best practice education and quality design must be made accessible to all, rather than remaining the privilege of the few. As a result, the team designed the kitchen and bakery to generate income to provide scholarship opportunities. This project will transform every life it touches: teachers, builders and architects, but especially thousands of Rwandan children, present and future.

Janet Brown, M.Ed., TEACH Rwanda (TR) Founder and President, has been advocating for high-quality early childhood education for 5 decades. She worked as an editor/consultant on early childhood education for publications and institutions before co-founding this organization and school that fosters respect for children, curiosity and a love of learning, transforming educational norms in the country. GAC is an architecture and design firm committed to making communities their primary clients, identifying the real needs of end-users, and delivering beautiful, environmentally sustainable spaces since 2008. GAC’s country director James Setzler, RA, has 15 years of experience. Strategist and communications consultant, Katie Garner (KTG Strategy) uses storytelling to distil the underlying value and impact of businesses and organizations, to help them reach a broader audience. The parties met in 2020 during GAC’s Masoro Learning and Sports Center project, with TR advising GAC on the library programming, and KTG documenting and sharing success stories. The parties coalesced around the significance of environmental sustainability as integral to social equity and economic security, and how that could be applied to a thoughtfully designed demonstration school. TR is the project owner, responsible for programming and fundraising, supported by GAC and KTG. GAC will ensure sustainable building practice: using soil blocks; planting native species whenever possible; space for builders to grow nutritious vegetables; and conduct building skills workshops that train and equip the builders.

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