EASTERN PROVINCE GATSIBO—Students in Gatsibo, like all over Rwanda, are preparing themselves serious for final examination due to begin by the end of the month. Provincial mocks, which students are currently undertaking, were to be completed by second term, but were postponed due to undisclosed delays. Seated under trees and in banana plantations, students have been studying in groups and seriously to pass the important exams. Many students are now finding themselves in identical situations of having to make up for dodging classes, evading sample exams and failing to revise past papers. Lawrence Mujuni, a mathematics teacher at Gabiro Secondary says teachers have done “whatever it takes” to see that their students pass their final examinations. “When it comes to subjects like mathematics, students from most schools tend to fear exams and this could be because of poor background,” Mujuni said. Mock exams are a big part of the learning process. The practice tests help students to be able to do better what they covered in previous exams. Every teacher expects students to improve by doing problems faster, more accurately and with greater organization on problems pertaining to material tested previously. A quick glance at the final exam will provide the teacher with sufficient evidence to determine whether a student has become better at doing what he or she has been asked to do. Francis Musafiri, headmaster of Nyakayaga secondary, says it is always recommended for students to revise past papers towards final exams. “Most of the final exams don’t evolve very quickly. There’s always a good chance that this year’s final exams are going to be very similar in style, difficulty, and emphasis of topics to previous finals,” says Musafiri. During revision time, students should involve their teachers by visiting them and asking for help on how to do a particular problem. By so doing, they will get big hints regarding recommended methods, as well as getting motivation underlying the solution that will emphasize what the teacher wants you to have readily available at the final exam. Students are also advised not only to read study material but to actually verbalize it and rewrite it multiple times so the sounds, structures and logical layout are easily recalled. Dean of Studies at Gabiro secondary Alloys Niyonzima says that they are encouraging students to do their revision in groups. “Studying in groups is also another way of becoming conversant with topics while revising. Also making sure that they speak, write precisely and boldly criticize their own work as well as the work of others will help them in their finals” he said. Linda Mutesi, a candidate student from the school, says that it is good to do mocks and other tests during the school term. “I think there should be examinations because not only do they show how we learn the subject, they help us to think, to make considerations between the things that our teachers teach us and the questions that we’re asked.” The headmaster of Nyakayaga secondary, Francis Musafiri, has a message to all students who are prepared for their final exams around the country. “Students should go through their final exams by first trying to solve the really easy problems and then the not-so-easy problems,” Musafiri recommends. Ends
