Rwanda’s 2025/2026 nationwide examination outcomes present a marked enchancment in efficiency at each major and Strange Stage, even because the variety of candidates taking the examinations elevated considerably.
The outcomes, launched on Thursday, August 20, cowl the Major Leaving Examination (PLE) and Strange Stage (O-Stage) examinations held in July. Listed here are the important thing takeaways.
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1. Cross charges rose sharply
The nationwide PLE cross price rose to 88.21 per cent, up from 75.64 per cent in 2024/25.
At O-Stage, the rise was even bigger, with the cross price rising to 85.70 per cent from 64.35 per cent final yr.
That represents will increase of 12.57 share factors at PLE and 21.35 share factors at O-Stage. Final yr, 166,334 of the 219,900 graded PLE candidates handed, whereas 95,674 of 148,676 graded O-Stage candidates handed.
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This yr, 243,958 candidates handed the PLE and 127,702 handed O-Stage.
2. The variety of PLE candidates jumped by greater than 56,000
A complete of 276,579 candidates sat the PLE this yr, in contrast with 219,926 who sat the examination final yr.
That is a rise of 56,653 candidates, or about 26 per cent.
At O-Stage, nonetheless, the quantity remained virtually unchanged, with 149,015 candidates sitting this yr's examination in contrast with 148,702 final yr.
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Minister of State for Schooling Claudette Irere attributed the sharp enhance within the variety of learners at major degree partly to the consequences of disruptions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected the traditional development of learners by college.
She stated the rise in numbers had not been accompanied by an analogous enhance in accessible college infrastructure.
“Regardless of the rise in numbers, the efficiency elevated as nicely,” she stated.
3. Kirehe has maintained its dominance
Kirehe has retained its place because the nation's strongest-performing district in each PLE and O-Stage nationwide examinations.
Within the 2024/25 outcomes, Kirehe had recorded greater than 97 per cent in PLE and above 91 per cent in O-Stage, main each rankings.
This yr, its efficiency rose to 99.88 per cent in PLE and 99.98 per cent in O-Stage.
In PLE, Kirehe was adopted by Ngoma at 95.27 per cent, Musanze at 93.90 per cent, Rusizi at 93.58 per cent and Karongi at 92.75 per cent.
At O-Stage, Musanze adopted Kirehe at 96.63 per cent, with Karongi at 94.77 per cent, Rusizi at 94.32 per cent and Nyagatare at 91.69 per cent.
4. Arithmetic staged a restoration
Arithmetic was one of many largest tales on this yr's PLE outcomes. Solely about 27 per cent of candidates had handed Arithmetic final yr, making it the weakest-performing topic at major degree.
This yr, the Arithmetic cross price jumped to 81.1 per cent. That is a rise of about 54 share factors in a single yr.
The opposite PLE topics additionally recorded substantial enhancements. English rose from 50 per cent to 75 per cent, Science and Elementary Expertise from 72.4 per cent to 95 per cent, Social Research and Non secular Schooling from 68.4 per cent to 98.4 per cent, and Kinyarwanda from 71.2 per cent to 98.1 per cent.
5. The development was not restricted to the general cross price
The distribution of marks additionally shifted in the direction of greater rating bands. At PLE, 27.62 per cent of candidates scored between 60 and 70 per cent.
One other 50,423 scored between 70 and 80 per cent, whereas 32,846 scored between 80 and 90 per cent and 11,333 scored between 90 and 100 per cent.
The decrease rating bands additionally turned significantly smaller. For instance, candidates scoring between 40 and 50 per cent fell from 18.91 per cent of candidates final yr to 10.07 per cent this yr. These scoring between 30 and 40 per cent fell from 4.96 per cent to 1.59 per cent.
At O-Stage, the 40-50 per cent band fell from 18.91 per cent final yr to 12.58 per cent this yr, whereas the 30-40 per cent band fell from 4.96 per cent to 1.64 per cent.
6. New sensible science examinations had been launched
This yr's examination cycle launched sensible examinations in science topics.
“The sensible exams within the sciences gave candidates sufficient time to conduct analysis and put together, which contributed considerably to the improved outcomes,” stated Bernard Bahati, Director Common of Nationwide Examination and College Inspection Authority (NESA).
He additionally attributed a part of the advance to the rise within the cross mark launched the earlier yr. Bahati stated NESA had additionally assessed learners by different checks performed through the tutorial yr somewhat than relying solely on nationwide examinations.
7. The highest scores had been additionally greater than final yr
The perfect PLE candidate this yr, Rwego Mutijima Bruno Ricky of Ecole Internationale La Racine in Bugesera, scored 99.6 per cent. A number of candidates adopted with 99.4 per cent.
Final yr's prime PLE performer had scored 99.4 per cent.
At O-Stage, this yr's prime performer, Uwamariya Leontine of ISF Nyamasheke, scored 98.7 per cent, whereas Musonga Isimbi Olla of FAWE Women College additionally scored 98.7 per cent.
Final yr's O-Stage winner had scored 98.67 per cent.
8. Boys had the next cross price
Women accounted for almost all of candidates who sat each examinations, however boys recorded greater cross charges.
At PLE, women made up 55.65 per cent of candidates. But the male cross price was 89.59 per cent, in contrast with 87.1 per cent amongst females.
At O-Stage, women represented 57.22 per cent of candidates. The male cross price was 89.8 per cent, in opposition to 82.63 per cent for females.
9. Improved outcomes are placing extra strain on boarding colleges
The stronger efficiency means extra learners are progressing to the following degree, creating further strain on accessible locations, particularly in boarding colleges.
For Senior One, all 243,958 profitable PLE candidates had been positioned in secondary training, together with 17,412 in boarding colleges.
In Senior 4, 76,220 learners had been positioned usually training, 43,845 in Technical and Vocational Schooling and Coaching (TVET), and seven,645 in skilled training.
Irere stated the rise in each the variety of learners and their efficiency would have an effect on how candidates had been distributed as a result of college capability had not expanded on the similar tempo.
“If the variety of college students has elevated and their efficiency has elevated, it impacts the distribution of colleges they be a part of, as a result of the rooms didn’t enhance,” she stated.
10. Demand for some colleges is way above accessible locations
NESA's placement knowledge illustrates the strain on well-liked colleges. For instance, GS Saint Aloys obtained 28,221 requests for 120 accessible placements, whereas Ecole des Sciences de Musanze obtained 22,456 requests for 105 locations.
E.S. Kayonza Trendy obtained 19,842 requests for 140 locations, whereas School Saint Andre had 18,896 requests for 118 locations.
Lycée de Kigali obtained 17,981 requests for under 65 locations. NESA stated placement selections are based mostly on three components: candidates' scores, college capability and candidates' selections.
11. Colleges urged to arrange for brand spanking new learners and wet climate
As colleges put together to obtain new learners, training officers have urged adminstrators to deal with overcrowding, unsafe buildings and different shortcomings, whereas additionally strengthening their preparedness for heavy rains and windstorms.
Irere stated inspections had recognized colleges the place buildings posed dangers to learners, in addition to instances of overcrowding and unsuitable preparations involving younger youngsters.
She urged colleges to work with NESA to fulfill the required requirements and referred to as on mother and father to test whether or not colleges their youngsters are becoming a member of meet these necessities.
Irere additionally referred to as on colleges to arrange for heavy rains and robust winds by strengthening roofs and guaranteeing drainage programs and waterways are useful.
“Because the Ministry accountable for Emergency Administration indicated, there are anticipated to be heavy rains and windstorms, so there’s a have to have colleges ready,” she stated.
She additional urged colleges, notably boarding colleges, to keep up correct hygiene in dormitories and refectories.
12. 243 suspected instances of malpractice below investigation
The improved outcomes got here alongside investigations into examination malpractice.
Irere stated 243 suspected instances of malpractice had been nonetheless below investigation.
Candidates whose outcomes had been affected by suspected malpractice weren’t included within the outcomes launched on Thursday, with investigations persevering with.
Authorities stated disciplinary motion would observe as soon as the investigations are accomplished.
13. Candidates have completely different deadlines to enchantment
Candidates, mother and father and guardians who’ve issues about grading, college placement or studying pathways have 14 days from the publication of the outcomes to submit an enchantment.
Appeals regarding grading have to be submitted inside 30 days.
Placement and learning-pathway appeals will be submitted on-line by the College Knowledge Administration System (SDMS), whereas appeals regarding examination grading have to be submitted by SDMS by the respective head lecturers.
