IEE believes that communities are inherently willing to collaborate to create effective learning environments for their children. That is why IEE designs programmes to mobilize community members to complement school efforts in enhancing and assuring quality learning for school children.

As a 21^st century strategy, IEE believes in gamification of learning. We programme to make learning activities and environments fun to maximize enjoyment and engagement through capturing the interest of learners and inspiring them to continue learning throughout their lives. Through gamification of learning, IEE achieves increased learner engagement, fun and interactive learning environments, improved knowledge absorption and retention by learners, bringing the real world to class, and overall enhanced learning experiences for all age groups.

IEE respects the fact that nations desire the best for their citizens, hence devise effective policies for the wellbeing of their citizens. This is true for education as well as other sectors. IEE programming therefore responds to government laws and rules that govern the operation of education systems as managed by the Ministry of Education. IEE programming aligns to government policies for effective accountability.  

IEE believes in education as a dynamic system made of subsystems of policy, education management, and teaching and learning. IEE avails itself to assess education subsystems, judging their contribution to the full functioning of the entire system. All our programming in teacher development training and technical assistance, competency-based teaching and learning, continuous professional development, curriculum and material development, community mobilization for education, special needs and inclusive education, pre-service teacher education, in-service teacher education, gamification of education, research and evaluation, education policy support, learning and teaching, personalized learning, gender programming, skill development, and blended learning is aimed at supporting the effective functioning of the education system.

As a flagship approach, IEE implements pre- and in-service teacher development programme using the school-based mentorship approach. A more qualified teacher is identified, to provide ongoing training to teachers with comparably low skills. In the case of Rwanda, since 2009 IEE has been modelling school-based mentorship for in-service teachers, around teaching methodology and English language for teaching. It is the same model that IEE has collaborated on with a range of partners, gradually expanding the scope of modelling. As of 2016 the school-based mentorship approach was adopted and institutionalized in all schools in Rwanda. The Ministry of Education has charged responsibility for implementation of the school-based mentorship programme to Rwanda Education Board its technical department responsible for implementing basic education. IEE continues to support implementation of the national school-based mentorship programme, implementing capacity building activities at national, provincial and local levels.