Transforming education: the power of ICT policies - Commonwealth ...

to the country’s shift towards sustainable development is the prominence given by Government leadership to ICT
in general and in education in particular.
Socio-economic Profi le
Rwanda is a small, landlocked country i n Central Africa with 10.7 million people and a population growth of 2.87%
per annum. The indigenous population consists of three ethnic groups: the Hutus who comprise the majority of the
population (85%), the Tutsis (14%) and the Twa (1%). Table 1 below provides demographic indicators for Rwanda.
Table 1: Demographic Indicators Rwanda, 2009
Indicator Performance
Population 10.7 million (2009)
Population Density 368 per square km (2008)
Population Growth Rate 2.87% pa (2009)
Age Structure 0–14 years: 42.7%; 15–64: 54.8%
Median Population Age 18.7 years (2009)
Life Expectancy 56.77 years (2009)
Infant Mortality
67.18 deaths for every 1,000 live births
(2009)
% Urban Population 18% (2008)
Source: CIA, World Factbook, Rwanda, 2010
Table 1 shows that Rwanda has a very young, predominantly rural population and features among the most densely
populated countries in Africa with 368 people per square kilometre.
Rwanda is also one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Economic growth rates have averaged 5.8% per annum
over the past ten years; and in 2007 it grew by 7.9% in 2007 and 8.5% in 2008. Between 1980 and 2007 Rwanda’s
Human Development Index (HDI) rose by 0.94% annually from 0.357 to 0.460 today, which is one indication of the
country’s progress over time. Increased productivity in the agricultural and service sectors, together with strong
public and private sector investment, have been the main sources of growth, employment and poverty reduction in
the short to medium term (World Bank, 2009).
Rwanda is also reportedly on track to achieve MDG 2 on universal primary education, MDG 3 on gender equality and
MDG 6 on HIV/AIDS and malaria. Net primary enrolment (2007) is 95%, with 97% enrolment of girls. HIV prevalence
is estimated at about 3% with female infection rates (3.6%) substantially higher than those of males (2.3%). Rwanda
is also on track to achieve the targeted reduction in malaria incidence. Table 2 provides indicators of Rwanda’s
socio-economic development.
Table 2: Socio-economic Indicators, 2007
Human Development Index (HDI) 1 0.460 (2007), ranking 167th out of 182 countries;
Human Poverty Index (HPI) 32.9%, ranking 100th out of 135 countries
Per Capita Gross National Income in US Dollars $200 (2003), $230 (2005), $330 (2007) 2
Source: Human Development Report, 2009
Despite the signifi cant growth and progress however, Rwanda is still predominantly an underdeveloped agrarian
economy with approximately 60% of its population reportedly living under the poverty line (GoR, 2000). The economy
still suffers a host of structural challenges such as the low use of modern inputs and lack of extension services in
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