If you are a lower primary school teacher in Rwanda who completed the first round of English literacy training organised by the Rwanda Basic Education Board, there is important news you need to act on immediately. REB has announced the second and final round of this professional development programme — and attendance is mandatory for all teachers who participated in Round 1. This article explains what the training is about, why it matters for your classroom and your students, exactly when and where your training takes place, and what you need to do to prepare.

What Is the REB English Literacy Training Programme?

The Rwanda Basic Education Board is the government institution responsible for developing the curriculum, teaching materials, and professional development programmes for all primary and secondary schools in Rwanda. In 2025, REB undertook a comprehensive revision of the Lower Primary English syllabus — covering Primary 1, 2, and 3 — to better align English literacy instruction with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and with internationally recognised approaches to early childhood literacy.

Following the syllabus revision, REB recognised that simply issuing new textbooks and teachers' guides was not sufficient. Teachers needed hands-on training to understand the new pedagogical approach, learn how to use the updated materials effectively, and practice the new teaching methods in a supported environment before applying them in their own classrooms. This is why the training programme was created.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the LIFT Programme — the Learning Improvement for Teachers programme, a development initiative that supports teacher professional development in Rwanda. LIFT covers all costs associated with the training, including materials, facilitation, and participant allowances. There is no cost to participating teachers.

Why This Training Matters for Your Students

English is Rwanda's primary language of instruction from Primary 4 onwards, and English literacy in the lower primary years (P1–P3) is therefore foundational to everything that follows in a child's education. Research consistently shows that children who develop strong reading and comprehension skills in the early primary years perform significantly better across all subjects throughout their school careers.

The revised Lower Primary English approach emphasises phonics-based reading instruction — teaching children to decode words by understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, rather than memorising whole words. This approach, which is standard in high-performing education systems worldwide, produces faster reading development and stronger comprehension outcomes. The training equips you as a teacher to deliver this approach confidently and effectively using the new 2025 curriculum materials.

By attending this training, you will directly improve the reading outcomes of every student you teach for the rest of your career. That is not a small thing — it is the most impactful investment in your professional skills that REB can offer right now.

Training Schedule by District — Round 2

This second round of training is scheduled for the same group of teachers who attended Round 1. Attendance is mandatory. Your specific training dates depend on which district your school is located in:

February 14–15, 2026: Teachers from Gisagara, Ngororero, and Gasabo districts. Report to your designated training venue by 8:00 AM on February 14.

February 21–22, 2026: Teachers from Rusizi and Kirehe districts. Report to your designated training venue by 8:00 AM on February 21.

February 28 – March 1, 2026: Teachers from Gakenke and Karongi districts. Report to your designated training venue by 8:00 AM on February 28.

Training sessions run across two full days. The specific venue for your district is provided in the official invitation letter distributed by REB through your school. If you have not yet received your invitation letter or are unsure of your venue, contact your school's head teacher or your District Education Officer (DEO) immediately.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

To make the most of your two days of training, preparation matters. Here is what you should bring and what you should do before you arrive:

Bring your invitation letter. This is your official confirmation of attendance and will be required at the registration desk at your venue. Do not attend without it.

Bring your national ID or teacher ID card. Registration will require proof of identity.

Review your Round 1 training notes. Round 2 builds directly on what was covered in the first session. Refreshing your memory on the key concepts from Round 1 — especially the phonics methodology and the structure of the new P1–P3 English lessons — will allow you to engage more deeply with the new content in Round 2.

Bring the 2025 revised Lower Primary English Teachers' Guide for your grade. If you have access to the physical copy from your school, bring it. If not, download the digital version from the REB e-learning platform at elearning.reb.rw before your training date so you can follow along and make notes directly in the guide.

Arrive by 8:00 AM. Training begins promptly. Late arrivals disrupt the group and may result in missing important early content. Plan your journey to account for transport time and arrive a few minutes early.

About the LIFT Programme

The Learning Improvement for Teachers (LIFT) programme is a multi-year initiative supporting teacher quality improvement in Rwanda. It operates in partnership with REB and focuses specifically on foundational literacy and numeracy skills — the building blocks of all learning. LIFT funds teacher training events, the development of new teaching materials, and school-level coaching and mentoring programmes. Because LIFT covers the full cost of this training — including your participation allowance — there is nothing you need to pay to attend. All costs are covered.

What Happens After the Training

When you return to your school after Round 2, you will be expected to begin implementing the revised English literacy approaches in your classroom immediately. Your school's head teacher and district-level education officers will support this implementation. In some districts, follow-up school visits by REB and LIFT staff will provide additional coaching and feedback on how you are applying the new methods.

You will also be part of a broader network of trained lower primary English teachers across Rwanda. REB plans to use this network to share best practices, identify common challenges, and provide ongoing professional support as the revised curriculum beds in over the 2026 school year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am sick and cannot attend on my scheduled dates?
Contact your head teacher as soon as possible and ask them to inform your District Education Officer. REB takes attendance at these training sessions seriously, and unexcused absences are noted in your professional record. If you have a genuine medical reason, a medical certificate will be required. Do not simply not show up — always communicate in advance.

Is this training only for English teachers?
Yes. This specific round of training is targeted at lower primary teachers who teach English (P1–P3). If you teach other subjects or other grade levels, this particular training does not apply to you, but watch for future REB professional development announcements relevant to your subject area.

Will there be a Round 3 of this training?
REB has not announced a Round 3 at this time. The current communication covers Round 2 only. Teachers who attended Round 1 and complete Round 2 will have the full training on the revised Lower Primary English curriculum.

What if I was not part of Round 1 — can I join Round 2?
Round 2 is specifically for teachers who completed Round 1. If you missed Round 1, you are not part of the current cohort. Contact your District Education Officer to enquire about future training opportunities or alternative professional development pathways for the revised English curriculum.

Are refreshments and lunch provided during the training?
Yes. As the LIFT Programme covers all participation costs, meals and refreshments during training hours are provided. You do not need to bring your own food, though you are welcome to bring water or snacks for personal use.

Conclusion: This Training Is an Investment in Your Students' Future

The REB English Literacy Training Round 2 is not just another professional development requirement to tick off. It is a direct investment in the quality of reading instruction that every child in your classroom will receive — and that investment compounds over time. Every student who learns to read fluently and confidently because of the skills you develop in this training will carry that foundation through their entire education and into their adult life.

Make sure you know your training dates, prepare your documents, arrange your transport, and arrive on time. If you have any questions about the training, your venue, or your participation, contact your school's head teacher or your District Education Officer as soon as possible.

Share this article with colleagues in your school and district who are part of the Round 2 cohort. The more prepared every teacher arrives, the more productive and impactful the two days of training will be for everyone.