KIGALI - SENIOR six exam results for 2007 were released yesterday indicating a slight decline in the performance of candidates.

The results released by the Rwanda National Examinations Council (RNEC) indicated this year’s performance declined from an average 74 per cent in 2006 to 71 per cent.

Rural schools swept all the best positions except Eto Muhima, Kigali, which emerged in ninth place. Little known ESI Rwamagana, in the Eastern Province, came out on top, followed by ESI Ste Elesabeth Kabgayi while Esa Birabo came third.

Cases of malpractice dropped from 231 in 2006 to 57, most of them being incidents of external assistance, impersonation and smuggling of notes into the examination rooms.
Education officials declined to identify the culprits or the schools involved in the exam malpractices.

There was also a slight decline in those achieving distinctions from 858 students (4 per cent) in 2006 to 668 (3 per cent) this year.

"Students complained that the exams were tough but we have no option. The education system is under reform and it is competitive,” RNEC executive secretary John Rutayisire said.

Urisanga Pierre Celestin of E. SC. Musanze emerged the best overall student with 10.3 points, followed by Bibiche Kakuza of E.S St Vicent Muhoza with 9.9 points.

Boys scored the best results; thirteen of the top nineteen students were male.
The number of male candidates who sat A-levels increased from 14,077 (55 per cent) in 2006 to 14,439 (57 per cent) this year. Yet the number of the females fell from 11,621 (45 per cent) in 2006 to 10,822 (43 per cent).

The overall number of A-level candidates increased from 34,500 in 2006 to 35,705 in 2007.

State Minister in charge of primary and secondary education, Joseph Murekeraho, commended the RNEC management for its continued efforts to overcome exam malpractices in schools.

"The war against exam malpractices must continue and it should be a community responsibility. We want a better generation free from fraud,” Murekerawo said. The minister also asked RNEC to embark upon the university selection exercise promptly. He said the Government will not be able to sponsor all candidates who passed. 

Full listing of results in tomorrow’s paper.