Rwanda is officially pulling the plug on the Belgian education curriculum taught at Ecole Belge de Kigali, a decision that marks yet another escalation in the fast-deteriorating relationship between Kigali and Brussels.
The announcement, issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education this week, instructs the prestigious international school to halt implementation of the Belgian curriculum by September 2025. The directive is part of a broader national policy shift following the country’s decision in March to sever diplomatic ties with Belgium, its former colonial ruler.
“The Ministry of Education hereby informs you that, effective September 2025, your school must cease implementation of the Belgian education programme currently in place at École Belge de Kigali,” the statement reads. Schools were advised to begin transitioning to alternative education systems ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year.
Founded in 1965, École Belge has long been an educational landmark in Rwanda, offering Belgian-accredited diplomas in a multicultural setting. Generations of Rwanda’s elite—including politicians, academics, and business leaders—have passed through its classrooms. The school currently enrolls about 500 students and employs 45 teachers.
The sudden policy shift, while not entirely unexpected given the diplomatic tensions, has left many parents scrambling. “It’s unsettling,” said one parent, who asked to remain anonymous. “Our children are halfway through a curriculum that prepares them for universities abroad. Now we’re being asked to change tracks entirely or relocate.”
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Behind the scenes, the issue is more than just academics. Kigali’s decision is rooted in frustration over Belgium’s perceived stance on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwanda has long been accused of backing rebel forces. Belgium, alongside other Western nations, has taken a critical view of Rwanda’s involvement—sparking heated responses from Kigali.
In March, both countries expelled each other’s diplomats in a tit-for-tat fallout over the DRC crisis. That diplomatic row has now spilled over into education, religion, and aid. According to the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), a public notice issued on March 27 banned all NGOs and institutions operating in Rwanda from cooperating with Belgium or its affiliates. The Ecole Belge reportedly receives funding directly from the Belgian government, placing it squarely in violation of the new directive.
A senior official at the Ministry of Education, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no other schools would be affected because Ecole Belge is the only institution in the country using the Belgian curriculum. The school, he added, must either adopt Rwanda’s national curriculum or shut down entirely.
Ecole Belge also operates campuses in Burundi, DRC, and Morocco, but the Kigali branch is now on the brink of closure unless it makes a significant academic shift.
In the meantime, the Rwandan government has reassured families that it is working to support a smooth transition. But for many parents, the clock is ticking—and the uncertainty is unsettling.
“We understand the politics,” said another parent, “but our children shouldn’t be caught in the crossfire.”
As the September deadline looms, the fate of one of Kigali’s most prominent schools hangs in the balance, a symbol of how geopolitical tensions are now reaching into Rwanda’s classrooms.
