Claudette Irere
Appearance
Hon. Irere Claudette is a Rwandan technology professional and politician, who was appointed the Minister of State in charge of ICT and Technical Vocational Education and Training by President of Rwanda Paul Kagame in February 2020.This position has been reinstated as the Government moves to streamline and strengthen TVET Education and ICT integration in teaching and learning.
Quotes
[edit]- "ICT is a tool and an enabler, if women start using it at its full capacity, growth in the economy would be realised,"
- “The World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday, in Kigali Rwanda. Under the theme, Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation, the forum calls for recognition of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in a journey that will see Africa develop faster.”
- Donah Mbabazi, How women can leverage ICT to claim the front seat in transformation, The New Times, 11 May 2016.
- We need more role models, unfortunately women in technology tend to be geeky and shy away from the limelight. We don’t get to see more of them out there; hence, young girls don’t have enough women to look up to in this sector
- "how-women-can-leverage-ict-to-claim-the-front-seat-in-transformation", The World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday, in Kigali Rwanda. Under the theme, Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation, the forum calls for recognition of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in a journey that will see Africa develop faster. (11 May 2016)
- A couple of years back when I was still in school, we used to have a “Career fair day” and our school would invite a guest - a woman or professional - to inspire us and take us through their career journey
- How women can leverage ICT to claim the front seat in transformation, The New Times, 11 May 2016. (The World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday, in Kigali Rwanda. Under the theme, Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation, the forum calls for recognition of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in a journey that will see Africa develop faster.)
- While I believe that schools are key players when it comes to inspiring more women to join technology, I also believe that it needs to be a collective effort to encourage and inspire women to join Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, (STEM). With the 4th Industrial Revolution catching up on us, it is only wise to have more women embrace technology,
- "how-women-can-leverage-ict-to-claim-the-front-seat-in-transformation", The World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday, in Kigali Rwanda. Under the theme, Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation, the forum calls for recognition of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in a journey that will see Africa develop faster. (11 May 2016)
- We have realised, from many countries, that to be able to run TVET successfully, there is a need for sufficient funds. Many countries have done so and we want to see if we can also do it here. The government has already invested in TVET but it is not enough. That is why we need to think of other ways to support it.
- Govt mulls special fund to boost TVET education, The New Times, 22 November 2022.
- "Sciences are important as there are so many untapped opportunities for women. As the saying goes,‘educating a girl is educating a whole nation’, when girls learn, they know better and with this they are empowered"
- "girls-in-science-how-far-have-they-come", In 2013, researchers at Yale published a study proving that physicists, chemists and biologists are likely to view a young male scientist more favourably than a woman with the same qualifications (08 February 2017)
- "I think young talent is supported more today compared to years back. Before it was more of academics but today, children are given space to develop their talent which is good because letting them explore it will help them do what they are passionate about."
- Nurturing children into future music stars, The New Times, 8 December 2016.** “14-year-old Magnifique Kazutete dreams of becoming a renowned guitarist one day. Her passion for music sparked interest in the instrument, pushing her to ask her parents to enroll her for guitar classes.”
- "There is still a gap in digital literacy. Digital literacy is still at 8.9 per cent among Rwandans. This is not enough for a country like Rwanda that seeks to put all services online. We have developed a road map to increase digital literacy,"
- Govt commences digital literacy of SACCO users ahead of automation, The New Times, 21 October 2019.
- "They need to be able to use digital productive tools. We have to ensure that graduates join labor market with digital workforce skills"
- "govt-commences-digital-literacy-of-sacco-users-ahead-of-automation", Govt commences digital literacy of SACCO users ahead of automation (21 October 2019)
- "There are about 25 initiatives needed for ensuring smart cities in Africa and we will be seeking more innovations from developers and finance them to support the community with those solutions"
- Best ICT solutions for smart cities rewarded, The New Times, 2 October 2018.
- "In fact, the restructuring and splitting of the Ministry of ICT and Youth meant that the government wanted to raise its commitment towards promoting technology. Supporting such a programme is one of our priorities, and we believe that students should be taught these skills at a young age."
- First robotics boot camp kicks off in Kigali, The New Times, 3 January 2018.** “The first robotics boot camp kicked off in Kigali yesterday, bringing together at least 40 outstanding students (20 boys and 20 girls) from 20 schools across the country.”
- "Don’t be afraid to think big, and, most importantly, don’t be afraid to fail along the way, because no one learns when they only experience success,”
- Develop projects that address community challenges, youth told, The New Times, 18 May 2018.** “Several youth innovative projects won cash and other prizes during the closure of an initiative dubbed ‘Pitch Night’ in Kigali on Wednesday.”
- "We set rules, regulations and policies regarding the sector but we need more action. We are therefore committed to making more of these kind of cooperation happening"
- "more-efforts-needed-in-developing-ai-sector", More efforts needed in developing AI sector (27 November 2019)
- Already having this platform for our students is a big step, but we cannot say we are directly going to provide the materials, but we are working hard towards providing them to the TVET schools that need them
- "tvet-e-learning-platform-unveiled", The New Times (22 October 2021)
- "We will still educate students who are smart and relevant to the market, despite the difficulties from Covid-19.”
- "tvet-schools-to-get-smart-classrooms", The New Times (June 11 2021)
- "All in all, it was quite a good learning experience. Going forward, the learnt lessons will permit us to plan and do better. We ask schools, parents and students to embrace this new normal because digital is the only way to go”, she concludes."
- "2020-how-rwandans-embraced-virtual-learning", The New Times (29 December 2020)
- “I believe this agreement means important opportunities for education cooperation between the two TVET institutions. I am convinced that more cooperation will come in regards to student exchanges and researches in service of this memorandum of understating,"
- "tvet-board-korean-vocational-institute-sign-new-research-deal", The New Times (29 December 2021)
- "When someone comes to visit a school like this, it is to see what they are doing, see what they have and where we can collaborate with them because when you look at the large number of schools we have that teach careers and sciences in Rwanda, they are private."
- "minisitiri-irere-yashimye-uruhare-rwa-ulk-polytechnic-institute-mu-kwigisha", Minisitiri Irere yashimye uruhare rwa ULK Polytechnic Institute mu kwigisha imyuga n’ubumenyingiro (17 February 2022)
- "Since we all share the same thread, it's about how easy it is to get students so that they're willing to continue teaching. Polytechnic requires a high level of ability to teach but what they have shown us gives us confidence that they are capable"
- [https://mobile.igihe.com/amakuru/u-rwanda/article/"minisitiri-irere-yashimye-uruhare-rwa-ulk-polytechnic-institute-mu-kwigisha.
- "A child who studied in these technical schools, can continue to study whatever he wants and if he does not go to university, he does not miss anything. "Rwanda is progressing and not all the work will be done by foreigners."
- "minisitiri-irere-claudette-yasabye-ababyeyi-gushishikariza-abana-kwiga-mu-mashuri-yimyuga--122249.html", Minisitiri Irere Claudette yasabye ababyeyi gushishikariza abana kwiga mu mashuri y’imyuga n’ubumenyingiro (20 October 2022)
- "We also need experts who know how to do it and do it professionally so that we don't continue to outsource to foreigners who have learned what we teach."
- "minisitiri-irere-claudette-yasabye-ababyeyi-gushishikariza-abana-kwiga-mu-mashuri-yimyuga--122249.html", Minisitiri Irere Claudette yasabye ababyeyi gushishikariza abana kwiga mu mashuri y’imyuga n’ubumenyingiro (20 October 2022)
- "When you look at the numbers of those who should be at school and those who are there, today you see that there is a problem, so we should look at it together, it is not the responsibility of some or others, it is a problem that concerns the Rwandan community as a whole when you see a student who should be in a poor school , send them to school, where you find that parents are not putting effort into their responsibility to send their children to school, that problem is really difficult for us"
- "kayonza-minisitiri-irere-claudette-yasabye-ko-ikibazo-cyabana-bataye-ishuri-kiba-icya-buri-muntu", Inyarwanda (19 October 2022)
- "You have the power to make every classroom not just a place of learning, but a space of inspiration*The future will need best coders like, this is just beginning. Never stop"
- "I remember the wife of George Bush visiting us, But she was not the only one. Visitors taught us about the world, proper conduct, and how to carry ourselves as young women. Schools today still need this kind of exposure."
- FAWE GIRLS’ SCHOOL is Celebrating 25 Years. State Minister Irere Claudette is Former Student (Kt Press, January 30, 2026)
- "It was here I learned to speak in public. Even today, the fearlessness and confidence I developed at FAWE help me in my work."
- FAWE GIRLS’ SCHOOL is Celebrating 25 Years. State Minister Irere Claudette is Former Student (Kt Press, January 30, 2026).
- "I wanted to be near doctors to understand their work. But I eventually realized medicine was not for me—the patience required in the face of suffering was immense."
- FAWE GIRLS’ SCHOOL is Celebrating 25 Years. State Minister Irere Claudette is Former Student (Kt Press, January 30, 2026).
- Study hard, take advantage of the opportunities your school gives you, and listen to visitors who come to teach you. The peopl
- School feeding campaigns reduce dropout rates, spurs community engagement
- “The people you sit with at school may become your lifelong friends. They are the first capital God gives you, so hold on to them. Choosing a school for your children is crucial, and no one else can make that decision for you.”
- FAWE Girls’ School Is Celebrating 25 Years: State Minister Irere Claudette Is Former Student, KT Press, 30 January 2026.
- “The world is not moving toward removing teachers. Instead, it is moving toward empowering teachers to use AI to teach better.”
- “In education, the teacher is the foundation. No one is going to replace them. Nothing will replace them.
- “If we are to release meaningful regional integration, education, particularly higher education, must play a critical and central role.”
- “Our young people should be the ones producing Technological devices we use in our daily lives.”
- “We need pupils who can ask questions, and solve the problems in any situation. That’s what programmers are there for.”
- “Using technology and innovations of gender equality promote inclusivity and creates a platform to drive change.”
- “We believe that teachers play a crucial role in driving the necessary transformations in education.”
- “What we are asking for is collaboration between technical schools like these and the private sector, because without such cooperation, these innovations remain here unused.”
- “History is a teacher that never grows old."
- Combat those distorting Genocide history, Minister Irere says at Rukumberi newTimes (April 20, 2026)
- “What we went through should teach us about the dangers of discrimination.”
- Combat those distorting Genocide history, Minister Irere says at Rukumberi newTimes (April 20, 2026)
- “Commemoration is a moment to reflect on where we came from.”
- Combat those distorting Genocide history, Minister Irere says at Rukumberi newTimes (April 20, 2026)
- “Our visits and assessments already show encouraging improvements in English language skills.”
- Zimbabwean teachers boosting English proficiency – education minister newTimes (December 23, 2025)
- “If we are to realise meaningful regional integration, education, particularly higher education, must play a critical and central role.”
- Zimbabwean teachers boosting English proficiency – education minister newTimes (December 23, 2025)
- “We are working on it because all learners do not all have the same learning abilities.”
- Curriculum for learners with cognitive disabilities in final stages newTimes (June 21, 2026)
- “In education development, we consider every category of learner.”
- Curriculum for learners with cognitive disabilities in final stages newTimes (June 21, 2026)
- A student may know how to make soap in theory, but can they actually do it?”
- Rwanda: Why Accounting, Nursing and Teaching Students Have to Take Practical Exams alafrica (20 May 2025)
- “Nurses and teachers must demonstrate their skills.”
- Rwanda: Why Accounting, Nursing and Teaching Students Have to Take Practical Exams alafrica (20 May 2025)
- “The five-year grace period will give teachers enough time to upgrade their qualifications.”
- Teachers with secondary education given five years to attain A1 diploma newTimes (August 24, 2026)
- “The government, alongside local authorities, has been actively mobilising parents through door-to-door campaigns.”
- School feeding campaigns reduce dropout rates, spurs community engagement africa-press.net (2024-08-29) “This collective effort has helped make a substantial difference.”
- School feeding campaigns reduce dropout rates, spurs community engagement africa-press.net (2024-08-29)
- “One of our major priorities is access to quality education, leaving no child behind.”
- Rwanda: Reintegration Programme to Support Over 1,000 Dropouts allafrica (September11,2023)
- “Ensuring their retention, transition, and completion throughout the education system.”
- Rwanda: Reintegration Programme to Support Over 1,000 Dropouts allafrica (September11,2023)
- “You represent the spirit of innovation that drives our nation forward.”
- Minister of State Launches RP Skills Challenge 2025 mineduc.gov.rw
- “Your skills and ideas are not just relevant—they are essential to shaping our socio-economic landscape.”
- Minister of State Launches RP Skills Challenge 2025 mineduc.gov.rw
- “It is a pleasure to see ABACUS in Rwanda.”
- Minister of State Launches RP Skills Challenge 2025 mineduc.gov.rw
- “A true gymnastic of the brain that helps learners solve problems.”
- Minister of State Launches RP Skills Challenge 2025 mineduc.gov.rw
