The Ministry of Education Announces Results of the National Examinations for Upper Secondary Schools.

According to figures provided by NESA, a total of 108,732 candidates registered for the national examinations across all categories. Girls made up the majority of registered candidates, accounting for 55.05%, while boys accounted for 44.95%.

Of all those registered, 108,405 actually sat for the examinations. More than 102,000 candidates, representing 94.53%, passed the examinations. Among the boys who sat for the examinations, 95.9% passed, while 93% of the girls who sat for the examinations passed.

In general, NESA is pleased that, compared with the previous academic year, 2024/2025, the number of candidates who obtained low grades decreased significantly, while the number of candidates who obtained very high grades also increased.

In the general education category, 56,515 candidates registered for the examinations. Girls were the majority, accounting for 60.8%, while boys accounted for 39.2%.

Of these candidates, 56,330 actually sat for the examinations, representing 99.67%. A total of 53,050 candidates, or 94%, passed the examinations successfully. 

Among the boys who sat for the examinations, 96.3% passed, while 92.7% of the girls who sat for the examinations passed.

NESA also reported that in this category, the percentage of students passing individual subjects continued to increase, except in Computer Science and Kiswahili. 

NESA further reported the performance of students in the three streams of general education. In the Science stream, students achieved a pass rate of 93.8%. In the Humanities stream, the pass rate was 95.8%, while in the Languages stream, students achieved a pass rate of 93.61%.

In the technical education category, slightly more than 43,000 students registered for the examinations. Boys were the majority, accounting for 55%, while girls accounted for 44%. 

Among those registered, 42,793 candidates actually sat for the examinations, representing 99.72%.

Of all those who sat for the examinations, 40,459 candidates, or 94.5%, passed. Among the boys who sat for the examinations, 95% passed, while 93.4% of the girls who sat for the examinations passed. 

In this category, NESA reported that candidates performed very well in most subjects, except subjects related to hospitality, tourism, and technical services.

However, NESA noted a decline in the percentage of candidates achieving high grades in this category, while the percentage of candidates obtaining low grades increased. 

In the category of schools offering professional education courses, 9,324 candidates registered for the examinations. 

Girls were the majority, accounting for approximately 67%, while boys accounted for 33%. Of these candidates, 9,283 actually sat for the examinations, representing 99%. 

Among those who sat for the examinations, 8,252 candidates, or 94.28%, passed. A total of 96.4% of the boys who sat for the examinations passed, while 93.1% of the girls passed. 

NESA reported that students performed well in almost all subjects in this category, except Accounting. 

During the event, the Director of NESA also announced the students who achieved the best results in the national examinations across the different categories. However, the ceremony to award these top-performing students will take place at a later date.

In his speech, the Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengiyumva, announced that the results of the national primary school examinations for students who were given another opportunity to sit for a replacement examination, after their previous examination had been cancelled because they were assisted in cheating, are now available.

He therefore asked the students who sat for the replacement examination and their parents to check the results through the normal channels used to access examination results. 

Regarding examination malpractice that was reported during the primary school leaving examinations, the Ministry of Education said that similar incidents were also identified during the upper secondary school examinations. The malpractice involved 1,097 candidates in 27 different examination rooms. The candidates found to have been involved in such activities will face disciplinary measures. 

Minister Nsengiyumva also explained that the second opportunity given to primary school students to sit for another examination will not become a permanent practice.

He confirmed that the opportunity was provided only this year. He explained that if such a second chance were given every year, it could encourage or reinforce a culture of examination cheating. 

The Ministry of Education further revealed that the 1,097 students found to have been involved in cheating during the national upper secondary school examinations will not be given another examination or a re-sit. 

According to the Ministry, these students are older and understand what they were doing. The Ministry said that the students will instead be referred to the relevant authorities so that they can be held accountable for their actions. 

Minister Joseph Nsengiyumva said that after announcing the examination results across all categories, the Ministry would sit down and develop solutions to address the problem of examination cheating.

“We assessed the situation and found that the problem occurred on the actual day of the examination. However, now that we have completed this examination period, we will review and reassess all aspects of the preparation and administration of examinations. Wherever we find that more effort is needed than was previously being applied, we will strengthen those areas,”he said. 

Although the Minister believes that the examination cheating problem was identified on the actual examination day, he said that the review would not focus only on that particular day. 

“The investigation that was conducted showed that the problem occurred on the day of the examination, but that does not mean that this is the only area we will examine. We will look at everything in order to further improve the quality of examinations,” he said. 

As part of measures to reduce examination malpractice, the Ministry of Education said it would increase the number of examination supervisors. More teachers from different locations will be assigned to supervise candidates in the same examination room.

An additional person will also be assigned to help monitor candidates who leave examination rooms and check what they are doing after leaving the examination rooms.

Minister Nsengiyumva also called on Rwandan society as a whole to reflect on the issue and work together to fight the culture of cheating, helping others to cheat, or enabling others to cheat.