SHARE LIBROS (Learning to Improve Book Resource Operational Systems) Rwanda, Final Brief

Textbooks and reading books are critical to children’s learning. Yet, book scarcity persists in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Rwanda. The World Bank (2022) estimates that the average pupil-textbook ratio is 3.5 in primary education in LMICs, meaning that around 4 pupils share 1 textbook. The Learning to Improve Book Resource Operational Systems (LIBROS) study seeks to identify and disseminate policy and programming strategies that can enhance children’s access to quality textbooks and supplemental reading materials through improved book supply chain (BSC) systems at the primary education level.

BSC refers to the interconnected processes or phases by which books are produced, distributed, sold, and used. As the BSC involves multiple activities, improvement strategies vary by activity and context. In Rwanda, one such notable strategy over the past 10 years has been the engagement of Multilateral Partnerships focusing on children’s book title development, both for textbooks and trade books, and the creation of a nationwide reading culture.

The case study explored by the LIBROS Rwanda study are the Multilateral Partnerships in title development and reading culture creation. Partnerships have had a positive impact across several phases of the BSC and involved a wide range of stakeholders in Rwanda’s education system. We investigated how the Partnership strategy emerged and was coordinated, what challenges it encountered, and what additional support might be needed to maximize its benefits. Our findings aim to contribute to the overall improvement of Rwanda’s BSC. We share insights gained from the study to inform the efforts of other countries with similar policy goals.