Responsible for developing Peace and Values Education at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Aegis Trust has worked closely with the Rwanda Education Board to help educators teach this cross-cutting subject effectively since its incorporation in Rwanda’s national schools curriculum a decade ago.
Equipping educators with the skills needed to foster social cohesion and promote a culture of peace, Aegis is helping to ensure that peacebuilding principles are embedded in Rwanda’s education system.
Now, as part of its ASPIRE programme (Action for Sustainable Peace, Inclusion, Rights, and Equality), Aegis is conducting a two-week training programme – set to conclude on 22 February – for 160 trainee teachers at the Rukara Campus of the University of Rwanda’s College of Education. This is the final training session in a series which completes a four-year goal of training 1,280 pre-service teachers across the University.
These future teachers are equipped with the skills to seamlessly integrate Peace and Values Education into their lessons, teaching methods and student interactions. By fostering a deeper understanding of peacebuilding principles, the programme empowers educators to model and promote positive values, ensuring they become role models who inspire peaceful coexistence within their classrooms and communities.
The training is already shaping the mindset and approach of future educators like Nicole Ntivunwa. “I used to think that as a teacher, I had to be very strict—no jokes, always serious, and punishing mistakes by hitting students or expelling those who disobey. However, I have come to realize that I need to first understand the reasons behind a student’s mistakes before punishing them and focus on helping them improve,” she says.
Through initiatives like this, the Aegis Trust is not only preparing educators to teach but also empowering them to become agents of peace in their classrooms and communities, helping Rwanda become a more inclusive and peaceful society—one classroom at a time.
