Leveraging Site-to-Site VPN and BGP Protocols to Enhance Digital Resource Sharing Among TVET Institutions in Rwanda

Access to quality digital learning resources remains a challenge for many Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Rwanda, particularly those in remote areas. The high cost of internet connectivity limits equitable resource distribution among schools. This paper proposes the implementation of Site-to-Site Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to enhance secure, cost-effective sharing of educational resources among TVET institutions without reliance on commercial internet. A mixed-methods approach was adopted involving interviews with stakeholders, site visits to selected TVET schools, and simulations using Cisco Packet Tracer. Findings indicate a critical need for infrastructure upgrades and technical capacity-building among IT staff. This study provides a framework for implementing inter-school VPN networks in Rwanda's education sector and recommends policy-level support to scale this innovation.