A complete of 277,452 candidates on Tuesday, July 7, started the 2025/26 Major Leaving Examinations (PLE). There are 154,351 women, or 55.6 per cent of all candidates.
The candidates will sit 5 topics Arithmetic, Kinyarwanda, English, Science and Elementary Expertise, and Social and Spiritual Research between July 7-9.
This yr's candidates elevated by greater than 56,000 in comparison with those that sat the 2024/25 examinations.
The examinations administered by the Nationwide Examination and College Inspection Authority (NESA) are being carried out in 1,182 examination centres throughout the nation, involving 3,895 faculties and 14,797 invigilators.
ALSO READ: Nationwide exams timetable launched
The Minister of Training, Joseph Nsengimana and the Mayor of the Metropolis of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, launched the examinations at Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique in Gasabo District.
The Minister stated all stakeholders had labored collectively to make sure the examinations have been carried out efficiently.
“We’ve many examination centres throughout the nation, and it is a nationwide evaluation for Major Six learners to find out whether or not they have acquired the competencies required to finish major training and progress to secondary college,” Nsengimana stated.
“We’ve been working with faculties, dad and mom and learners to make sure they’re effectively facilitated all through the examination interval.”
ALSO READ: Nationwide exams to start on June 30
Nsengimana stated the rise within the variety of candidates is basically attributed to Rwanda's rising inhabitants.
“Because the inhabitants will increase, the variety of learners additionally will increase. We even have college students who had dropped out in earlier years and got here again to high school this yr. The rise is subsequently not one thing to be shocked about,” he stated.
The minister inspired candidates to stay calm and assured through the examinations.
“They’ve studied all year long and have been ready for these examinations. Colleges have ready them effectively, and they’re now prepared. We ask them to remain relaxed, keep away from panic, and sit the examinations in a relaxed temper,” he stated.
He added that candidates who fall sick or encounter different challenges that forestall them from sitting the examinations at their designated centres ought to contact NESA in order that crucial help will be offered.
The minister warned academics and examination officers in opposition to any malpractices.
“We remind academics that serving to learners to cheat is prohibited. Anybody discovered participating in such practices will likely be investigated and punished,” he stated.
“Most academics uphold skilled ethics, however those that assume they will facilitate malpractice with out penalties are mistaken. Folks ought to do the suitable factor as a result of it’s the proper factor to do, not merely as a result of they worry punishment.”
Beneath NESA laws, candidates discovered dishonest danger disqualification and cancellation of all examination outcomes, whereas academics, invigilators or some other officers who facilitate examination malpractice face disciplinary motion, fines and dismissal from public service.
ALSO READ: Dozens of academics face sanctions over examination malpractices
NESA's Head of fundamental training and TVET examinations division, Jean-Claude Nizeyimana, stated the establishment had put in place mechanisms to make sure no eligible candidate misses the examinations due to sickness, hospitalization or detention.
“We’ve candidates who could also be in hospitals or in correctional amenities. For candidates admitted to hospitals, medical doctors should first affirm that they’re match to take a seat the examination. After that, we coordinate with the hospital and oldsters to manage the examinations there,” he stated.
Nizeyimana stated NESA has deployed workers in all districts to facilitate such candidates.
“These examinations are held annually, which is why we make each effort to make sure each eligible learner will get the chance to take them,” he stated.
