School rankings based on the results of the National Examinations for the 2023-2024 academic year were published on December 13 after some years since education institutions had stopped making similar rankings public. During the national celebration of International Teachers' Day at the national level, held on December 13, the rankings were showcased, and the full list of schools’ performance nationwide can be accessed. Schools are ranked nationally and by district. Bernard Bahati, the Director General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), explained the rationale behind publishing the rankings. Bahati emphasized that publishing school rankings is a strategic decision aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the education sector. ALSO READ: Teachers are now fully involved in setting national exams – NESA boss “By providing a clear and comparative ranking of schools’ performance, these rankings serve multiple purposes,” he explained. “They reflect the strengths of schools that performed well, while also highlighting those that require additional efforts to improve. At the same time, they promote healthy competition and encourage all schools to pursue excellence.” These rankings provide valuable information to parents and guardians, enabling them to make informed decisions about their children’s education, officials said. Policymakers and educators can also use this data to guide interventions and allocate resources effectively, contributing to quality in education. Public reactions Anonciate Muhawenimana, a parent, welcomed the initiative, saying that it would help parents and schools make decisions based on concrete evidence. “We used to send our children to certain schools based on assumptions about their reputation, without necessarily conducting proper research. Now, with these rankings, we can see how schools perform, which will guide our future decisions,” she said. Addressing concerns that some parents might avoid certain schools due to poor performance, Muhawenimana argued that this should instead serve as an opportunity for collaboration. “Parents need to work with schools to identify areas for improvement and contribute to enhancing the quality of education,” she added. Beatha Kimanyi, a teacher from the Eastern Province, echoed these sentiments, noting that the rankings would serve as a wake-up call for educators. “This will help us enhance our performance in all aspects while also engaging policymakers more effectively to address barriers to success,” she said. The newly published rankings include both primary and secondary schools and provide performance details by district. The information can now be accessed on the NESA website. The initiative is expected to drive improvements across the education sector while fostering collaboration among stakeholders to ensure quality and equal learning opportunities for all students.
