The Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, August 27, announced the results of the national examinations for the 2023-2024 academic year for both primary schools and the Ordinary Level of secondary schools.

In Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), 96.8 percent of 202,021 passed. In O-Level exams, which had 143,227 candidates, the pass rated was 93.8 percent.

ALSO READ: Girls outperform boys in PLE exams, as boys lead in O-Level

Top five performers in each level shared their reactions to The New Times.

O-Level top performers

Alia Ange Stevine Telimbere Ineza emerged first on the list of top performers in O-Level exams results.

Ineza, who studied at Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux in Nyarugenge District, explained that the key to her success was hard work and determination. Although she had chosen to study Math Biology and Chemistry in Advance Level, she said that her wish was to be admitted into Rwanda Coding Academy.

Denys Prince Tuyisenge of Hope Haven in Gasabo District, who emerged second, said that he would like to continue with mathematics and sciences in A-Level.

"I think I will study mathematics, physics and computer science or mathematics, physics and chemistry,” said Tuyisenge, who won a gold medal at a continental maths competition on August 20.

"In senior one, senior two, senior three, I loved chemistry. I found it interesting, like how it explains nature and also computer science because today&039;s world computers are a big thing,” he said.

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Aaron Twarimistwe, who studied at Ecole secondaire de Kanombe (EFOTEC), said he was excited to be the third top performer in O-Level exams, which was a result of hard work.

"To my fellow students, I would like to tell you, don’t let challenges discourage you. Continue to work hard and stay motivated." Twarimitswe said.

Happiness Mary Abeza was a student at Fawe Girls School in Gasabo District. She expressed joy and excitement at securing the fourth place in national exams, saying that she was grateful for the recognition of her hard work.

"To my fellow students, stay determined and don’t let any obstacles stop you. Keep striving and believe in your abilities” Abeza said.

Niyonzima Jean de Dieu, who studied at the Education Institute for Blind Children Kibeho in Nyaruguru District, emerged fifth in the O-Level exams. He told The New Times that wants to study languages in A-Level at the same school.

ALSO READ: Visually impaired student among top performers in national exams

"Disability is not inability,” said Niyonzima who aspires to be a journalist.

"Even if I have a visual impairment, I made it to the top performers and I made my parents proud, I want to tell everyone that if you believe in something and work for it you can make it.”

PLE top performers

Lucky Fabrice Igiraneza, a 12-year-old student from Pioneer School in Bugesera District, emerged first in the PLE results.

Igiraneza said that his success should be attributed to his teachers and parents who supported him.

"I worked hard for this, and I am happy that I got an award. Since I started P6, I have been revising a lot, even during the holidays. Yes, I am the one who got awarded, but my teachers and my parents helped me through it,” he said.

ALSO READ: Education minister urges more efforts in Math, English, Science

Alliance Pacifique Igeno, the second top performer, who studies at Irerero Academy in Kamonyi District, attributed her success to a team effort of her teachers and classmates.

Benitha Kirezi Remezo fo Ecole Autonome de Butare in Huye District, was very excited to qualify for secondary school, which would give her an eye-opening experience.

The third top performer, Davy Senga Nshuti, who studied at Kigali Parents School in Gasabo District, said his performance in the national exams motivated him to keeping working hard.

"I want to keep studying hard so that I can keep winning,” Nshuti said.

For Vanessa Kazubwenge Mahirwe, who studied at Ecole Primaire de l’Avenir in Bugesera District, said being awarded as the fifth top performer was nothing short of an honour. Mahirwe aspires to be a medical doctor.