National exam candidates up by 16pc

The number of A’ Level students who registered to sit this year’s national examinations has increased by 6.2 percent, statistics from Rwanda Education Board (REB) indicate.According to REB, 33,699 students registered to sit for this year’s A’ Level examinations up from 31,734 in 2011 while those in‘O’ Level increased by 5.3 percent. 84, 321 students will sit for the latter examination compared to 80,093 in 2011. 176,884 have registered for Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) this year in relation to 167,386 who sat for the exam last year.The registration process for Primary, Ordinary and Advanced level examinations was completed in May.The number of schools with registered candidates increased to 29,325 compared to 24,079 last year while the number of examination centres increased from 119 last year to 145 this year.The Director General of REB, Dr John Rutayisire said: “The increase in the registered candidates for the national examinations in their respective levels is due to the government’s efforts to increase access to 9 and 12 Year basic education through the construction of more schools and classrooms since 2008.”He said the school environment has been made more conducive now with more textbooks, qualified teachers and trained head teachers.He observed that the improvement in cleanliness and nutrition at schools has played a key role in enabling students enjoy and stay in school than ever before in addition to developing an interest in subjects taught at their respective schools. “This has been another factor which has helped to increase the number of candidates this year.”In an interview with The New Times yesterday, the Headmaster of Kagarama Secondary School, Sam Nkurunziza, said: “We are well prepared for the national examinations this year because our students, both at ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level, recently sat their mock examinations that are set according to REB standards. We are working tirelessly to equip our candidates with the necessary knowledge which will help them to perform well.”He added that his school has set a target to complete both ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level syllabi before the end of the second term, adding that the third term is specifically reserved for students to revise.‘O’ Level students will reportedly sit for district level examinations as part of the preparations for the national exams.The national examinations are slated to commence on November 14, according to REB.