Parents preparing to send their children to school for the 2026/27 academic year are facing increasing financial pressure as education costs continue to extend beyond tuition fees.
For parents who attended school years ago, when tuition could be as little as Frw 10,000 per term, the current cost of enrolling a child in secondary school or keeping them in a particular grade can appear overwhelming.
Although the discussion mainly focuses on secondary schools, private nursery and primary schools can also require significant financial investment.
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As the 2026/27 academic year approaches, parents are closely examining the “Babyeyi” sheets given to students. These documents outline the requirements and payments students must meet before or during the school year.
Many of the lists reviewed by IGIHE contain numerous requirements, meaning that some parents may need to spend more than Frw 600,000 to prepare one child for school, depending on the institution.
The expenses can include tuition, uniforms, meals, technology, laboratory services, sports equipment, school supplies and other charges.
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Government School Contributions Increase
Starting from the second term in January 2027, parents of children attending public nursery and primary schools, as well as government-subsidised schools operating under partnership agreements, will see their contribution increase from Frw 975 to Frw 2,000.
For day secondary schools, the contribution will increase from Frw 19,500 to Frw 24,000 per term.
Parents with children in boarding secondary schools will pay Frw 110,000 per term, compared with Frw 85,000 previously.
Some Private Schools Require Nearly Frw 600,000
One private school in Kigali has listed requirements amounting to more than Frw 587,000 for the first term of the 2026/27 academic year.
The costs include Frw 310,000 for tuition, Frw 135,000 for lunch, Frw 20,000 for school communication services, Frw 10,000 for sports equipment, Frw 1,500 for insurance and Frw 102,000 for evening classes.
A parent with two children at the same school could therefore need almost Frw 1.2 million for one term, without including transportation, uniforms and other school supplies.
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ES Elena Guerra Cyeza
At ES Elena Guerra Cyeza, the first-term fee is Frw 308,500.
The amount covers tuition, uniforms, mattress rental, a sweater, sportswear, tableware, technology, library services, laboratory services, sports and other services.
Parents must also provide numerous personal and academic supplies, including exercise books, mathematics equipment, a calculator, black shoes, socks, sportswear, bedsheets, blankets, a mosquito net and hygiene products.
FAWE Girls School Charges Less
Compared with some private schools, FAWE Girls School has significantly lower fees.
A “Babyeyi” sheet issued in April 2026 showed that students paid Frw 99,000 during the third term of the 2025/26 academic year.
The amount included Frw 92,000 in tuition, Frw 3,000 for basic medical supplies, Frw 1,000 for haircuts and Frw 3,000 for hygiene materials.
The school is among institutions recognised for education quality, academic performance and student welfare.
Groupe Scolaire Kigeme-A
At Groupe Scolaire Kigeme-A in Gisaka Sector, Nyamagabe District, tuition is Frw 92,000 per term.
Additional charges include Frw 3,700 for examinations, Frw 2,000 for laboratory materials, Frw 5,000 for school development and Frw 2,800 for the school health clinic.
The total comes to Frw 105,500 per term.
However, parents must provide a wide range of additional items, including a mattress, bedsheets, blanket, mosquito net, school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene products and other personal necessities.
Additional Requirements Can Increase Costs
Students are required to bring exercise books, pens, mathematical equipment, scientific calculators and other academic materials.
They must also have school uniforms, sportswear, shoes, socks and personal hygiene items.
For girls, additional requirements include sanitary pads and other personal supplies.
Students studying nursing face additional expenses. They may be required to provide professional clothing and equipment such as gloves, masks, a sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, a digital thermometer, a penlight and a tape measure.
Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare
Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare, commonly known as Indatwa n’Inkesha, is another relatively affordable school.
During the 2025/26 academic year, tuition ranged from Frw 85,000 to Frw 124,400 per term depending on the student’s level.
Students were also required to pay Frw 7,000 for sanitation and bring 20 exercise books along with other school supplies.
The school is also recognised for its education quality and attention to student welfare.
What About Seminaries?
Parents also consider minor seminaries, particularly for children who aspire to become priests.
At Petit Séminaire Saint Jean Paul II de Gikongoro, a new student is required to pay Frw 232,700 during the first term.
This includes Frw 127,000 in tuition, Frw 25,000 for teacher incentives, Frw 35,000 for a student welfare fund, Frw 1,200 for accident insurance and Frw 5,000 for mattress and blanket rental, as well as costs for books, laboratory materials and internet services.
Parents must also provide other supplies such as exercise books, shoes, sportswear, bedsheets and hygiene products.
The school uniform alone costs Frw 67,900.
Parents Weigh Cost Against Education Quality
Many parents choose particular schools, including expensive institutions, because they believe these schools can provide better education and greater opportunities for their children.
However, the costs demonstrate that the financial responsibility of educating a child can extend far beyond tuition.
Public schools and schools operating through government partnership arrangements generally charge significantly lower fees, although parents may still have to purchase uniforms, learning materials and personal necessities.
Education Remains a Major Family Investment
For many Rwandan families, education is one of the most important investments they make for their children’s future.
The cost of sending children to school in Rwanda in 2026/27 varies considerably depending on the type of school, whether it is public or private, boarding or day, and the additional requirements imposed by each institution.
For parents, the challenge is therefore not simply finding money for tuition, but preparing for the full range of expenses that come with sending a child to school.
