The Social and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private Higher Education in Rwanda

Mudahemuka William – University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies
Moses Matundura – University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies
Joie Lea Murorunkwere – University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies
Callixte Kabera – East African University Rwanda
Jean Baptiste Mbanzabugabo – University of Kigali
Julian K. Ingabire – Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda
Email: williamuda@gmail.com

Abstract: This study is entitled “The Social and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on private higher education in Rwanda.” The purpose of this study is to identify the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. The researchers reviewed the related literature from physical and online documents. This research employed descriptive research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research adopted purposive sampling technique to determine a sample size of 437 respondents ranged from Students, Staff, and Senior Managers from 26 private HLIs in Rwanda. Data was collected through questionnaire, documentation, and interviews. Primary data were analyzed using SPSS. As results of this study, almost 90% of respondents confirmed that COVID-19 affected the enrolment numbers for both international and local students. Some HLIs, especially local-based ones, reported that this impact would continuously have negative financial consequences over the next 3 to five years. At almost all HLIs, COVID-19 affected teaching and learning activities where 91% of the respondents reported that classroom teaching had been replaced by remote teaching and learning. 100% of HLIs also reported that COVID-19 had affected the planning to carry out exams and it has had an impact on international students and staff mobility at 99% of participating HLIs. As a major recommendation, HLIs should have strategies in place to control future pandemic rather than considering the COVID-19 pandemic as a once-in-a-lifetime crisis.