The New Times, in its Wednesday February 5, 2014 issue, reported that 1200 students were stranded as a result of wrong identification. The story was published on page 20 under the headline "Wrong identification leaves 1,200 students stranded”.

I would like to clarify the following:

1. During the processing and publishing of 2013 national examinations for primary and ordinary levels, it was discovered that 414 ordinary level and 863 primary level candidates had written inconsistent names on examinations answer booklets different from the names given during registration for examinations. 

2. In this case, it was, therefore, not clear whether they are the right candidates who actually sat for examinations. 

3. The examination results of these 1,277 candidates were withheld and candidates were asked to come to Reb to provide proof of their identity so as to correct their records and have access to their results. This was done.

4. These students were not stranded in anyway but had the inconsistency in their identification sorted out.  

There was another issue where some ordinary secondary level candidates, had given wrong names of their sectors of residence during registration.  

This led to delays in delivering their admission letters (which were delivered to their residences, rather than their former schools as a means to save the candidates time and money).  

These students who did not receive their admission letters at their sectors of residence came to REB and, their admission letters have been retrieved and issued to them.  

This should not be confused with the 1,277 candidates who had inconsistencies in their identity.

Emmanuel Muvunyi,Deputy Director General, Examinations and AccreditationRwanda Education Board