Editor,

RE: "The cost of repeating class” (The New Times, February 3).

This is one of the most encouraging and best education articles I have ever read in The New Times.

Finally, Rwanda is collectively getting on the right track of understanding the importance of not only passing but passing with marks that will allow one to walk through more open doors at the next level.

Yes, Rwanda definitely needs to raise the passing percentage. Fifty per cent is average and compared to other international countries it is failing.

I tell my students at White Dove Girls School that you can pass in a manner of mediocrity that will get you out of secondary school and not much further or you can work hard to get "true” passing grades of 70 per cent or higher and open yourself to really great opportunities in the future.

Fifty per cent leaves many sitting at home wishing they had done more so that both national and international colleges and universities would consider them.

It is time for principals and teachers to realize that it is not only our job to educate at the primary and secondary level but it is our job to prepare students well for the possibilities that come.

The national exam should not be the measure of success. What is achieved term to term and year to year shows the true ability and character of a student.

Great article, great advice and I can only hope that students take heed.

Trice Dorrall