Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
ZIMBABWE has stepped up its skills diplomacy agenda with the expatriation of a second cohort of 143 teachers to Rwanda, reinforcing structured labour mobility arrangements between the two countries and expanding opportunities for Zimbabwean professionals abroad.
The deployment follows the successful placement of an initial group of 157 teachers whose performance has drawn positive assessments from Rwandan authorities. The programme is being implemented under a formal government-to-government framework designed to ensure safe, regulated and mutually beneficial international employment.
Welcoming the educators in Kigali, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education, Honourable Claudette Irere, said Zimbabwean teachers continue to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s education system.
“Through this binding framework, Rwanda continues to benefit immensely from the skills and experience of Zimbabwe and its education, where we can effectively strive to enhance our quality of teaching and learning in our skills,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Edgar Moyo, urged the expatriate teachers to uphold the country’s values and professionalism as they take up their international assignments.
“As you begin this new chapter, I encourage you to integrate fully into Rwanda society and bless the community in which you will live and work, learn from them and contribute positively to their development. As you begin this new journey, you are not alone. The Zimbabwean community already based in Rwanda stands ready to support you as you navigate the new environment,” Minister Moyo said.
Members of the second cohort expressed appreciation to both governments for facilitating a transparent and secure expatriation process, contrasting it with unregulated migration pathways that have exposed many job seekers to exploitation.
“I feel so honoured I was allowed to move here after hearing of so many scams. On trying to move abroad for various opportunities, I realised our government is working very hard. I come from Gokwe, and I never thought I would get an opportunity to move,” English teacher, Wadzanai Mandindo stated.
“The process to come here has been so smooth, as it was facilitated by our government. To be able to come here with our families is a great thing because it is important to stay close together,” another English teacher, Emmanuel Dhliwayo added.
Rwanda’s broader journey of education reform stretches back to 2015 when it launched a Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) shift toward skills-focused, relevant and inclusive education.
The teacher exchange programme has become a key pillar of relations between Zimbabwe and Rwanda, strengthening cooperation not only in education but also in skills development, labour mobility and people-to-people ties, as the two countries deepen regional cooperation and shared development.
