Why Are Students Still Dropping Out of School in Rwanda?
Education has always been at the heart of Rwanda’s vision for growth and transformation.
The government and its partners have made remarkable efforts to ensure every child has access to quality learning. Yet, even with all this progress, many students continue to drop out of school — and that threatens the dream of education for all.
Education: The Foundation of Development
Education isn’t just a classroom matter; it’s a pillar for national development.
It’s also at the center of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive, quality education for all by 2030.
Rwanda has prioritized education as the engine for human capital and economic transformation.
But while policies are strong, the numbers tell a different story.
The Numbers Behind the Problem
When the 2024/2025 National Examination results were announced, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) revealed concerning data:
1,001 primary students did not sit for their exams,
504 were absent at Ordinary Level,
and 333 missed exams at Advanced Level.
These absences point to a deeper problem — many learners aren’t staying in school long enough to finish.
What Causes Students to Drop Out?
Research from Laterite (2019) found that dropout rates peak at the end of primary school, reaching about 20.8%, and only 3.9% of those who leave ever return.
Older children face growing pressures — poverty, long distances to school, family responsibilities, or lack of motivation — making it harder to stay in class.
When Data Misses Real Stories
Most education data focuses on grades and attendance. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Behind every dropout statistic are families struggling, teachers trying to keep children motivated, and students facing challenges that no exam can measure.
If we only rely on data and ignore these lived experiences, our solutions risk missing the root causes of dropout.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Reality
For education policies to work, they must reflect real experiences. When voices from classrooms and homes are left out, interventions can become ineffective or unfair — reinforcing inequalities and leaving many children behind.
Looking Ahead
Rwanda’s commitment to education is undeniable. But understanding why students drop out — and how to help them stay in school — requires more than statistics. It demands listening, empathy, and evidence from real lives.
To bridge this gap, Cohort 3 trainees from the GreenStars Research Capacity Building Program are currently investigating the factors behind student dropout and retention in Rwandan schools.
Their findings will shed light on what truly works to keep children learning — and how communities, parents, and teachers can work together to build a stronger future for every child.
Stay tuned for their upcoming report — it may change how we think about education in Rwanda forever.
References & Further Reading
- Laterite; UNICEF; Ministry of Education (Rwanda). Factors and drivers of dropout and repetition in Rwandan schools: Towards evidence-based policies to improve the quality of education. Policy Brief No. 07/2019. Kigali: Laterite.
- MINEDUC / NESA (Rwanda). MINEDUC Publishes 2024/2025 National Examination Results for PLE and O’Level. Kigali; August 2025. nesa.gov.rw
- Africa Press / The New Times (Kigali). School Drop-Out Cases on the Rise – Rwanda. (2022).
- UN, 2018. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 4).
- Sibomana, Bizimana, Havugiyaremye & Ndokoye, 2025. Education and Socio-Economic Transformation in Rwanda.
- The New Times (Kigali), 2024. School Feeding Campaigns Reduce Dropout Rates, Spurs Community Engagement.
- Education Statistical Yearbook 2023. Primary dropout rates and school feeding coverage in Rwanda