Quality Low-Cost Private Schools Towards Sustainability Framework: Evidence-Based Schools in Eastern Province, Rwanda

This study examined the sustainability of quality low-cost private schools (LCPSs) in Rwanda's Eastern Province. It concluded that school leadership, teaching quality, learner performance, and income-generating activities significantly contribute to the sustainability of LCPSs. All four null hypotheses were rejected based on one-sample t-tests and stakeholder feedback. The findings reveal that effective school heads implement strategic non-fee income generation, teachers apply student-centered pedagogical approaches, and improved learner performance in national examinations is closely linked to instructional quality. Additionally, structured income-generating activities enhance financial resilience. These results align with global literature and underscore the need for continued capacity building and financial innovation in LCPSs. The study further suggests that sustainable LCPSs depend on strategic financial planning, ongoing teacher development, and active stakeholder collaboration. To strengthen these schools, the study recommends enhancing school leaders' fundraising capacity, institutionalizing continuous professional development for teachers, expanding income-generating initiatives, and developing a national sustainability framework to support quality and growth across Rwanda's LCPS sector.