KARONGI - A total of 2,730 students in Karongi District are set to sit for national examinations today.

A majority, 1,974 in total will sit for Ordinary Level examinations while 756 will take Advanced Level examinations.

The district education director, Michel Mulindankiko said 13 centres have been created for this exercise.

All the candidates will answer questions in French apart from 156 at a Teacher Training College in Rubengera sector who will use English.

According to Mulindankiko, the number of students has gradually increased over the years with private candidates being the minority.

"The number  has increased because of various reforms and we have 236 private candidates this year,” Mulindankiko said in an interview.

Mulindankiko also attributed the increase in candidate’s numbers to the recently introduced 9-year Basic Education programme.

Some candidates who talked to The New Times ahead of the examinations expressed and optimism. 

"I am ready to face the exams  because I have prepared well enough and I know God is also behind me,” Joshua Munyakazi, a Form three candidate at Groupe Scholaire St Joseph Birambo said.

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