Rwanda Takes Bold Step: Integrating Climate Action into Education through Regional Initiative

Rwanda is one of four African countries selected by UNESCO to develop climate solutions in schools. The goal is to enhance environmental education and action within the education system. Alongside Rwanda, Kenya, Seychelles, and Uganda are part of this initiative.

The project, called Leadership for Education for Sustainable Development (LEAD-ESD), targets Teacher Training Colleges. It aims to provide schools with practical skills to tackle local climate issues while promoting sustainable practices.

All four countries deal with serious climate challenges. Seychelles faces rising sea levels and coral bleaching, while Kenya and Uganda struggle with droughts and flooding. Rwanda is contending with land degradation and unpredictable rainfall, which threaten agriculture and food security.

Youth unemployment and limited access to green technologies are major concerns that hinder progress. This initiative aims to reshape how schools address these issues. “We need local actions based on global climate agreements,” said Pascal Gatabazi from the Ministry of Education. He emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into teacher training so that students learn to protect their environment and create future green job opportunities.

Rwanda has already made strides in sustainability with its Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) launched in 2015. This curriculum focuses on imparting practical skills rather than rote learning. Through the UNESCO project, teachers will receive training to link climate education with everyday learning experiences.

Dominique Mvunabandi from the Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO explained that the initiative will even spark competition among schools to encourage innovation. Schools may tackle local issues like drought management or waste challenges.

In practice, some Teacher Training Colleges are already making progress. At TTC Zaza, for instance, nearly 1,000 students are planting avocado trees to learn about environmental stewardship while improving nutrition. As teacher Irarora Gildas noted, planting a tree offers lasting benefits, teaching students responsibility and care for the environment.

In Bugesera District, another initiative combines tree planting with waste management. Claudine Musabimana and her colleagues at TTC Nyamata run a project called “Keeping Our School Green and Clean,” focusing on tree nurseries and waste recycling. Students actively participate, taking lessons of environmental protection home to their families.

UNESCO officials see this as part of a broader movement to turn educational institutions into hubs of sustainable development. The program aims to transform education and train future leaders to tackle climate challenges.

Patience Awopegba from UNESCO emphasized that education is key to fostering a culture of sustainability. She linked the initiative to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting that education is crucial for achieving these goals by 2030.

The LEAD-ESD program, supported by UNICEF and implemented by Kenyatta University, seeks to equip educators and policymakers with the tools needed to integrate sustainability into education. The hope is that schools will become centers of innovation, where students engage in practical environmental solutions like tree planting and waste management.

For Rwanda, embedding sustainability into education aligns with national efforts to foster green growth, build climate resilience, and empower youth. With this approach, the country aims to cultivate a generation that understands climate challenges and is prepared to lead in creating a greener future.



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