Exam board goes Hi-tech

KIGALI - Rwanda National Examination Council (RNEC) has announced modern changes in primary and secondary school examinations. Among the innovations is the on-line registration and personalised photographs on candidate’s diplomas as well as finger prints to guard against forgery. During an interview with The New Times on Friday, the Executive Secretary of RNEC John Rutayisire, said that students and parents will also be able to access examination results through on-line publication and Short Message Service (SMS) on mobile phones. “A highly secure line of checking exams is desired where students and parents can access RNEC databases by providing their registration numbers and the results are displayed through the web,” said Rutayisire. Other innovations include the introduction of science practicals in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, the introduction of a new model of marking and the preface of a new grading system which will feature harmonised grading with the rest of the EAC countries. “Currently, we are developing our ICT capability in order to deliver our services much more efficiently and effectively,” he revealed. He said the changes are meant to help build public confidence and create more transparency and accountability in the examination system. “We have established links with examination boards and bodies in charge of accreditation regionally and internationally in order to establish a high quality National Examination Council,” he said. He also highlighted that during the grading, an A pass-mark of grade boundary will be established for each level from primary, Ordinary up to Advanced level. By 2009, a website will be ready to publish examination results and student’s details and additional promotional information about the system including information about RNEC. Ends