Some 95.23 per cent per cent of the students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools who sat for the national exams last year have passed, reflecting a considerable improvement in the performance compared to 2017.

The Ministry of Education released the 2018 exam results yesterday. 

Isaac Munyakazi, the State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, said 21,847 students registered for the TVET national exams.  6.14 per cent of them were private candidates.

 Some 20,635 candidates, representing 95.23 per cent, passed compared to 88.4 per cent who passed in 2017.

The Minister for Education, Dr Eugene Mutimura, attributed the improved performance to the fact that students are increasing embracing TVET schools. 

Female candidates registered for the exams were 10,128.

The number of exam papers in 2018 increased from 172 in 25 options to 212 in 30 options, which represents increment of 20 per cent.

Gloriose Mukasine, from EAV Ntenderi who scored 59 out 60, was the best candidate while Alain-Pierre Izere, from Nyanza TVET School, who studied mechanical engineering, emerged the second best candidate.

Jean-Pierre Habimana, who studied construction from Mutenderi TVET School, was third, followed by Pierre Byumvuhore, who studied crop production from EAV Kabutare, and Noel Iradukunda Animal Health, from Kinazi TVET School.

 All the top five students received laptops from the Ministry of Education.

 "We are happy that there is progress in the area of teaching. The level these candidates excelled in especially in vocational skills shows how students are willing to acquire practical skills,” Minister Eugene Mutimura said.

"It is true we still have a long way to go, especially when it comes to sciences. But we think the new government strategies will help children to learn well and acquire adequate skills.”

editorial@newtimesrwanda.com