Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Country: RWANDA

Reference No: RW-REB-417096-CS-QCBS

Assignment Title: Consultancy to hire an implementing partner to conduct English Proficiency training and certification of teachers.

1. Background 

Rwanda has made significant strides in improving its education system over the past few decades. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that teachers are adequately equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver quality education to students. Recognizing the critical role of education in human capital development, the Government of Rwanda, with support from the World Bank, has initiated the Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development (QBE) project. The project is part of the Government of Rwanda's broader efforts to improve education quality and outcomes, in line with its Vision 2050 and the Education Sector Strategic Plan.

The Government of Rwanda has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Rwanda Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) is looking for a recognized and highly experienced firm to train, assess and certify Rwandan teachers in English Language Proficiency. The service provider must be specialized in delivering large-scale training, assessment, and globally recognized certification of the English language (specifically in the skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking) to teachers using immersive digital tools to address challenges of scale, urgency, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the contracted firm should leverage REB’s harmonized manuals as a complementary tool to its training program to further contextualize content for the classroom realities of Rwandan teachers. The firm will adhere to internationally recognized standards and best practices when training and assessing teachers, including monitoring the increasing teacher use of English as a medium of instruction in the classroom, and work closely with REB on the certification of teachers.

1. Objectives and purpose of the assignment

The overall purpose of the assignment is to train, assess, and certify teachers in Rwanda on English Language Proficiency.  The mode of instruction must be effective and may include in-person, hybrid, and online components. Assessment must lead to an internationally recognized certification according to teachers’ level of proficiency. The assessment of teachers' language proficiency should cover all four language skills (i.e. listening, speaking, writing, and reading) and categorize their levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages [CEFR] with the ability to benchmark test results with international standardized English tests such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Training and assessment should result in increased and effective use of the English language by teachers with students in the classroom.

The firm will be responsible to conduct an assessment of pre-service teachers as part of their recruitment process:

1. Scope of the assignment

The firm will be required to carry out the following tasks:

1. Assess and certify teachers who are already trained on 6 modules:

• Administer a large-scale standardized English test to the already trained 9,545 teachers to evaluate their English Language Proficiency on the CEFR scale
• Certify and provide digital certificates to teachers in line with their level of English Language Proficiency.
• Include those who are certified below B2 CEFR in cohort 1

1. Deliver English and communication skills training to Cohort 1 teachers:

• Administer placement tests to 28,455 teachers to evaluate their English language proficiency on the CEFR scale.
• Conduct training of 10,000 pre-primary, primary and lower-secondary in-service teachers as part of Cohort 1 (including teachers who have been trained on the 6 REB manuals but have not been certified at B2 level of higher).

• Once full-scale training is complete, certify teachers at their respective final language level and provide automated digital certificates (with the ability to customize program certificates).

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: www.reb.gov.rw

1. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. A letter expressing the Interest to the assignment addressed to DG REB
2. Demonstrated successful experience of the firm at least 10 years of experience in the consultancy services of the same nature
3. Description indicating that they have performed at least two similar assignments with same nature, equivalent to at least $ 1.5Million at each assignment and covering 2,000 trainees successfully performed in 1year period or above
4. Availability of appropriate skills among staff.

Firms may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture to enhance their qualifications. The nature of association should clearly be stated in the Expression of Interest. In case of joint venture, the firm leading the joint venture should be mentioned. Joint venture partners must be jointly and severally liable.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection of a consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method paragraph 7.3 of Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Fifth Edition September 2023 under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants.Please note that interest expressed by a consulting firm does not imply any obligation on the part of REB to include it on the shortlist.

Interested eligible Consultants may obtain further information from SPIU Coordinator or Office of the SPIU Procurement Unit, Rwanda Basic Education Board, P.O Box 3817 Kigali on any working day during office hours from 09:00 Hours to 17:00 Hours, local time and also at, eshyaka@reb.rw and kkayitesi@reb.rw.

Expressions of Interest (EoI) must be delivered in hard copy sealed and clearly marked “Reference No: RW-REB-417096-CS-QCBS”, Consultancy to hire an implementing partner to conduct English Proficiency training and certification of teachers. All Expressions of Interest must be delivered to above address on or before Friday 31st May 2024 at 10:00 Hours. Expressions of Interest will be opened on the same day at 10:30 Hours at REB ICT Training Boardroom.

Done at Kigali on ……../……/……

 Sincerely,

Dr. MBARUSHIMANA Nelson

Director General