The Ministry of Education on Thursday released results for Advanced Level candidates of the 2017-18 academic year, which saw the boys performing better than their female counterparts.
The New Times caught up with the five best performers from different categories to share their secret for the feat and their future plans.
François d’Assise Tuyisingize, of Petit Seminaire Saint Vincent de Ndera in Gasabo District was the best in sciences countrywide.
Francois d'Assise Tuyisngize from Petit Seminaire St Vincent de Ndera. / Sam Ngendahimana
The 18-year old who offered Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics said he was overjoyed and attributes his success to the motivation he got from his parents, teachers and classmates.
"I am so excited, up to now I cannot believe it. Well, when I reflect back on my performance in the O’Level exams during which I was the 10th in the country, I would say this encouraged me to dream bigger,” said Tuyisingize.
His dream is to become an engineer.
Violette Tuyishime, who is also 18, was the best in the literature category and wants to become a journalist or a lawyer.
Violette Tuyishime from College du Christ Roi, the best performer in Languages. / Sam Ngendahimana
She offered English, Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda from College du Christ Roi in Nyanza District.
"This glorious achievement is dedicated to many people that have been part of my journey; God the almighty who answered my prayers, my family, friends, teachers among others,” she said.
"I want to pursue a career in journalism or law and I think this is just a small fraction of what I dream of achieving,” she added.
Pax Aggripine Nubuhoro who was the overall best student in the arts category said she was still mesmerized by the fact that she could be the best in the country.
Pax Agrippine Nubuhoro from ISF Nyamasheke is the best performer in Arts. / Sam Ngendahimana
Nubuhoro studied History, Economics and Geography at ISF Nyamata in Bugesera District.
"The best advice I could give to students who are still in school is to use their time effectively and efficiently and I am so sure God will bless their efforts,” she said.
Tuyishime, Nubuhoro and Tuyisingize all scored 73 out of 73 points, according to the results that were announced from the headquarters of the Ministry of Education in Kacyiru.
Meanwhile, the results announced include those for Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and in this category, Thomas Havugimana, who studied at TTC Nyamata in Bugesera District, was the best in the category.
He did Teaching Science and Mathematics (TSM).
"The best feeling for a student is when their efforts pay off. I want to advice all students that studying is not easy but when you succeed, you forget all the minor challenges you encountered while in school,” he said.
Thomas Havugimana from TTC Nyamata is the best performer in Teacher Training Centers. / Sam Ngendahimana
He advised fellow students to be open minded and love what they do, as a recipe for excellence.
In other categories, Alain-Pierre Izere emerged second best student in Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).
He studied from the Nyanza TVET School in Nyanza District where he pursued auto mobile mechanics.
"I have always loved mechanics which encouraged me to join TVET. I still want to continue with mechanics and possibly become an engineer in that field,” he said.
Alain-Pierre Izere from Nyanza Trchnical School is the second best performer in TVET. / Sam Ngendahimana
He advised the youth to embrace TVET and not look at it as a discipline for academic failures, as some perceive it to be.
TVET is one area where students are taught standard working skills and where a person graduates with skills enough to employ themselves and even provide jobs for others,” he said.
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