Impact-evaluation Study of a School Leadership Development Programme in Rwanda

School leadership significantly influences teaching and learning quality by fostering teacher development, safe school environments, and partnership with parents and community. In Rwanda, the Diploma in Effective School Leadership (DESL) programme supports newly assigned school leaders with a one-year structured leadership development course. 

This report presents findings from the impact evaluation of the programme. The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-post design, comparing 147 schools whose school leaders participated in the DESL programme (Intervention Group) with 149 schools whose leaders did not (Comparison Group). To measure possible changes in leadership and school practices and processes, teacher and teaching outcomes, and students’ sense of well-being. Data were collected at two time points—pre- and post-intervention—using interviews with school leaders, teachers, students, and parents; surveys with teachers and Grade 6 students; and school documentation on policies and teaching practices.