Rwanda REB: Begins Sexuality Education Review to Tackle Teenage Pregnancy

• The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) is reviewing its comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) curriculum to make it more age-appropriate, inclusive, and effective.
• This review is driven by a rise in teenage pregnancies, which increased from 5% to 8% in 2025, partly due to COVID-19 and social media misinformation.
• The government is considering using digital platforms like TikTok to provide adolescents with accurate sexuality education information.
• The review includes examining existing educational materials, identifying gaps, and developing capacity-building programs for 40 curriculum developers focused on inclusive CSE and school violence prevention.
• CSE is integrated into the national competence-based curriculum, covering topics like sexual and reproductive health, and future teacher training is planned to address staff turnover.

The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has initiated a comprehensive review of sexuality education within the nation's schools.

The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has initiated a comprehensive review of sexuality education within the nation's schools. This significant undertaking aims to enhance the curriculum's age-appropriateness, inclusivity, and overall effectiveness, particularly in light of persistent concerns regarding rising teenage pregnancy rates. The REB's objective is to bolster the delivery of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), ensuring that all learners, including those with disabilities, gain access to accurate and pertinent information concerning their bodies, relationships, sexual and reproductive health, fundamental rights, and personal safety.

Curriculum developers representing key government institutions, partner organizations, and civil society groups are actively participating in this review. They are tasked with strengthening their technical proficiencies in designing inclusive and gender-transformative CSE, meticulously examining existing educational toolkits and teacher guides, pinpointing deficiencies that specifically impact learners with disabilities, and formulating actionable recommendations for improved implementation of the Rwanda comprehensive sexuality education policy.

The ongoing Rwanda REB sexuality education review is directly prompted by the continued increase in teenage pregnancies across the country. Janvier Ntibizerwa, a curriculum specialist at the REB responsible for training school leaders and educators in CSE delivery, highlighted that an assessment confirmed teenage pregnancy as a significant challenge. Data indicates a rise from 5% to 8% in 2025, with this 3% increase attributed to a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic when children spent more time in their communities. Another contributing factor identified is the spread of misinformation about sexuality on social media platforms, which can fuel curiosity among young people.

The Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS7) further substantiates this concern, reporting the highest pregnancy rates among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19. In response to these challenges, the government is exploring innovative approaches, including the potential for Rwanda digital sexuality education platforms. Ntibizerwa noted the consideration of digitizing sexuality education to provide adolescents with accurate information on social media channels such as TikTok and others, thereby combating misinformation and offering reliable resources.

The extensive review and mapping exercise currently underway involves a thorough examination of existing CSE toolkits, teacher guides, and related educational resources. This process assesses which materials are designated for primary, lower-secondary, and upper-secondary education levels, their official approval status, ownership, and availability. Crucially, the review is also identifying gaps in curriculum design, teacher preparation, and school-level implementation, aiming to refine REB curriculum development guidelines.

Furthermore, the review will investigate how CSE can effectively contribute to preventing various forms of school violence, including sexual violence, bullying, harassment, the perpetuation of harmful gender norms, and other types of abuse. Curriculum developers are also evaluating the necessity for age-appropriate content, clearly defined learning outcomes, comprehensive teacher guidance, effective assessment approaches, and enhanced coordination among education, health, and child protection institutions. A dedicated capacity-building program has been designed for 40 curriculum developers, focusing on inclusive CSE and curricula for school violence prevention that cater to all learners, including those with disabilities, reinforcing child protection education Rwanda.

Comprehensive sexuality education is not a standalone subject but is integrated as one of eight cross-cutting issues within Rwanda's competence-based curriculum. Its scope encompasses crucial topics such as sexual and reproductive health, human growth, relationships, gender, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. In primary schools, CSE content is woven into subjects like Science and Elementary Technology, as well as Social Studies.

To ensure the effective delivery of this vital education, teacher capacity-building is a priority. Training sessions are planned for September, partly to address staff turnover. New teachers, in particular, require a thorough understanding of comprehensive sexuality education as it is integrated into the competence-based curriculum. Ntibizerwa emphasized the critical need for closer coordination among government institutions, non-governmental organizations, parents, and other stakeholders to effectively address the issue of Rwanda teenage pregnancy prevention education. He underscored the shared responsibility, stating, "We have to work together to prepare curricula and shed light on what is done at school and what is done at home. There is a role for schools and parents."

Lawyers advising educational institutions, NGOs, or tech platforms involved in child welfare and education in Rwanda should monitor the outcomes of this curriculum review. It signals potential updates to educational policies, safeguarding guidelines, and digital content regulations related to comprehensive sexuality education and the prevention of school violence.

Source: Original reporting via The New Times