Mastering the 5 Ps: A Guide to Teacher Imihigo Performance Expectations (2025-2026)
As Rwanda's education system undergoes transformative reforms for the 2025-2026 academic year, the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and the Ministry of Education have introduced a refined framework for teacher performance. Central to this is the Teacher Imihigo (Performance Contract), which shifts the focus toward measurable outcomes and classroom effectiveness.
Whether you are an educator, a school leader, or a parent, understanding these expectations is key to seeing how Rwanda is aiming to boost the quality of basic education.
The "5 Ps": The Core Pillars of Teacher Evaluation
For the 2025-2026 school year, teacher performance is no longer just about showing up. It is measured through five distinct categories known as the 5 Ps. These metrics ensure that a teacher's "input" (what they do in class) directly translates to "output" (what students learn).
1. Presence (Attendance & Punctuality)
Reliability is the foundation of learning. Head Teachers monitor daily attendance records to ensure teachers are present and punctual for every scheduled lesson.
The Goal: Minimize unexcused absences and maximize instructional time.
2. Preparation (The Roadmap to Success)
A teacher without a plan is like a traveler without a map. REB now requires consistent use of written lesson plans.
The Check: Head Teachers conduct weekly random "surprise checks" to evaluate if teachers have prepared their lesson plans in advance.
3. Pedagogy (Teaching Excellence)
This is the heart of the evaluation. It moves beyond the lecture and looks at how a teacher interacts with their students. Key indicators include:
Lesson Objectives: Are they clear and achievable?
Student Engagement: Are students active participants or passive listeners?
Formative Assessment: Does the teacher check for understanding during the lesson?
Remedial Instruction: Is there a plan for students who are falling behind?
4. Participation in CAMIS (Data-Driven Decisions)
Data is essential for tracking national progress. Teachers are expected to accurately enter all student end-of-term and end-of-year assessment results into the Comprehensive Assessment Management Information System (CAMIS).
The Goal: To have a transparent, real-time view of student performance across the country.
5. Pupil Learning Outcomes (The Ultimate Metric)
The most significant shift in the new Imihigo is the weight placed on actual student progress.
How it’s measured: Teachers are evaluated based on the average percentile rank of their pupils. This isn't just about high marks; it’s about "value-added" learning—how much a student improved compared to where they started.
The Evaluation Process: How Scores are Determined
Performance is measured as a combination of Teacher Inputs (the first 4 Ps) and Pupil Learning Outcomes (the 5th P).
Classroom Observations: Conducted at least once per term by the Head Teacher or Director of Studies (DoS).
Cross-Marking Audits: To ensure fairness and accuracy in grading, paper-based audits may be conducted to verify the scores entered into CAMIS.
Final Ranking: At the end of the year, teachers are ranked against their peers in a comparison group. This "Final Rank" determines the overall Imihigo score.
Why This Matters
These reforms, including the shift to a five-lesson-per-day model and the introduction of new academic pathways in secondary school, are designed to give teachers more time to focus on quality rather than quantity.
By clearly defining what "performance" looks like, REB is empowering teachers to become professionals who are not just lecturers, but facilitators of growth. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the message is clear: Better teaching leads to better learning.
Are you a teacher preparing for your first Imihigo check? Focus on your daily lesson plans and keeping your CAMIS data up to date—these are the "quick wins" that build a strong foundation for your final evaluation!
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