No school from the City of Kigali had candidates among the 18 best-performing students in their respective categories, according to the 2023/2024 A-Level national examination results released by the Ministry of Education on November 15. The results published by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) show that of the 91,298 candidates who sat for the A-Level exams, 71,746 passed, equivalent to 78.6 per cent. The gender distribution of successful candidates was nearly balanced, with males accounting for 50.5 per cent and females 49.5 per cent. General overview In Technical Secondary Schools (TSS), out of 30,730 candidates, 29,542 passed, achieving a pass rate of 96.1 per cent. Under General Education (GE), out of 56,300 candidates, 38,016 passed, equivalent to 67.5 per cent, and under Professional Education (PE) where 4,268 candidates sat for exams, 4,188 passed, equivalent to 98.1 per cent, the highest success rate among the three categories. Unlike in previous years, the ministry has ranked students by category instead of an overall performance ranking. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Practical national examinations kick-off with first cohort in nursing schools Top performing candidates by category While announcing the results, the ministry released the names of 18 outstanding candidates across technical, general, and professional education categories. This year’s top performers were distributed across various districts, with most representation from rural and regional schools, notably Musanze, Rutsiro, and Nyanza districts. Samuel Mucyo a student in ESTB Busogo, in Musanze District, excelled in Agriculture and Food Processing (FOP). Said Habineza, a student in Lycée Saint Alexandre Sauli De Muhura, in Gatsibo District, secured top spot in Business Service (ACC). Emmanuel Dusengimana of Kivu Hills Academy in Rutsiro District topped the rest in Construction and Building Service (MAS) while Akili Rukundo of Ecole D’Art De Nyundo in Rubavu District excelled in Craft and Recreational Arts (CSC). Aime Izere Alliance, from Nyanza TSS, in Nyanza District excelled in Energy (IEL), Pierre Izabayo, from Kivu Hills Academy in Rutsiro District excelled in Hospitality and Tourism (TOR), Cedric Mutesa, of Rwanda Coding Academy in Nyabihu District was the first in ICT and Multimedia (SPE) while Marie Jeanne Nshimiye Ihirwe from IPRC WEST/TSS in Karongi District excelled in Manufacturing and Mining (MPT). Technical Services (ELS) saw Frank Niyonkuru from Saint Laurent De Gaseke in Gicumbi District excelling in Transport and Logistics (AEE), Justin Iratuzi from Nyanza TSS, Nyanza District, excelled in General Education (GE), whereas Arts and Humanities (HGL) saw Elissa Habaguhirwa, from G.S Murama in Rulindo District and Gabiri Ineza Rwigema from Ecole De Science Byimana in Ruhango District excelled in Science (PCM). Eric Mugisha from College Du Christ-Roi in Nyanza District excelled in Languages (LKK), Christophe Irabizi from G.S.O Butare in Huye District excelled in Associate Nursing Program (ANP) and Samuel Sibomana, TTC Save in Gisagara District was the best performer in TTC Social Studies (SSE). Gentille Igiraneza of TTC Save in the same district excelled in TTC Languages (LE), Alaine Niyigena from TTC Mururu in Rusizi District excelled in TTC Early Childhood and Lower Primary (ECLPE) and Jean Paul Ishimwe, TTC Save in Gisagara District excelled in TTC Sciences and Maths (SME). The published national exam results can be viewed online or by means of short message service (SMS). To access results online, log on to: https://sdms.gov.rw/sasui/public/nationalExaminationResult.zul and follow instructions. To get results by SMS: write the full candidate’s index number and send it to 8888. Example: A-Level: [110803MPC0012023] and send to 8888.