From Teacher Training to Transforming School Gardens
What happens when teachers are equipped with practical agroecology knowledge?
At Kirwa School Complex in Rwanda, the answer is simple: students become changemakers, school gardens become outdoor classrooms, and healthy soils begin nourishing healthy plates.
Nestled in Ngoma District in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, Kirwa School Complex is demonstrating how agroecology can transform both education and school nutrition.
The journey began when two teachers from the school participated in an Organic Agriculture and Agroecology Training organized by Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) working closely with a KCOA Multiplier – Jeanne UWAMAHORO from La Ferme du Lac, an agroecological learning centre and KHEA Centre of Excellence on the KCOA-KHEA Project.
The training equipped the teachers with practical knowledge and skills in agroecological farming practices. Rather than keeping the knowledge to themselves, they returned to Kirwa School Complex determined to share what they had learned with their students.
Turning School Gardens into Living Classrooms
Inspired by the training, the teachers integrated agroecology into the school’s daily learning activities.
The school gardens soon evolved into vibrant outdoor classrooms where students could learn by doing. They actively participated in preparing nursery beds, planting vegetables, applying compost, conserving soil, and managing crops using environmentally friendly practices.
Learning no longer happened only inside classrooms, it became a practical experience rooted in nature.
📘 Knowledge Product
How to Establish a Garden ;Â https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/KHSA_NOA_Garden-layout-model-2.pdf
A practical guide for schools interested in creating productive learning gardens.
Healthy Soils, Healthy Plates
One of the most significant outcomes of the initiative has been its contribution to the school’s feeding programme.
The agroecological gardens now supply a variety of fresh vegetables that are used to prepare nutritious meals for students. Instead of purchasing vegetables from local markets, the school harvests produce directly from its gardens.
This has helped to:
• diversify students’ diets;
• improve access to nutritious vegetables;
• reduce food procurement costs; and
• demonstrate how sustainable agriculture can directly support school nutrition.
The initiative perfectly illustrates the connection between healthy soils, healthy crops, and healthy communities.
📄 Training manual
Building Healthy Soils Through Composting ;Â https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/making-compost-making-guide-2.pdf
A step-by-step resource on producing quality compost for improved soil fertility.
Growing Future Agroecology Champions
Recognising the enthusiasm among learners, the trained teachers established an Agroecology Club comprising 60 primary school students.
The club has become a vibrant platform where learners meet regularly to explore practical agroecology through hands-on activities such as:
• compost production;
• soil conservation;
• biodiversity conservation;
• crop management;
• sustainable farming practices.
Beyond technical skills, the club nurtures teamwork, leadership, environmental stewardship, and problem-solving.
Students also become ambassadors of agroecology by sharing what they learn with their families and communities.
🎥 Video
Youth in Agroecology;Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3o1kedRVeM&t=52s
Watch how young people across Eastern Africa are driving agroecological transformation.
Creating a Ripple Effect Beyond the School
The impact of the initiative extends far beyond the school compound.
- Students carry agroecology knowledge home, encouraging their families to adopt sustainable farming practices
- Teachers continue mentoring learners, while the school serves as a practical demonstration site for agroecological farming
- This multiplier effect reflects the core vision of the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa(KCOA) Network and that is to empower individuals with knowledge that can be shared, adapted, and scaled within communities.
📚 Knowledge is power
KCOA Digital Knowledge Platform ;Â https://kcoa-africa.org/
Explore publications, videos, manuals, success stories, and training materials on agroecology.
Lessons Learned
The Kirwa School Complex experience demonstrates that investing in teacher capacity building creates lasting benefits for schools and communities.
What began as training for two teachers has grown into:
✔ a productive school vegetable garden;
✔ improved nutrition for learners;
✔ an active Agroecology Club;
✔ practical learning opportunities;
✔ increased environmental awareness; and
✔ a new generation of young agroecology champions.
It is a powerful reminder that when knowledge is shared, it multiplies.
Looking Ahead
As schools continue to seek innovative approaches to improve education, nutrition, and environmental sustainability, the Kirwa School Complex model provides a practical example of how agroecology can be integrated into learning.
By combining teacher training, experiential learning, and school gardens, schools can nurture informed learners who become future custodians of healthy soils, healthy food systems, and resilient communities.
Disclaimer:
– To learn about the KCOA Project: https://kcoa-africa.org/
– To learn about the KHEA Project: https://khea-africa.org/
– For more details on this article, please reach out to; serge@roam.org.rw OR pmagino@biovisionafrica.org
– See the license statement of all KCOA content: https://kcoa-africa.org/license-statement/ , which applies to all content from hubs implementing the KCOA project.
Author: Serge LIBAHO
Agriculturist
