National examinations candidates up 19 per cent

THE number of candidates for the 2012 school examinations set for next month has increased by 19 percent compared to last year.Figures from Rwanda Education Board indicate that 311,097 primary and secondary school candidates have been registered, compared to 291,369 last year.“Looking at the increase in registration of candidates between 2011 and 2012, one might think that the quality of education would be compromised, however, looking at the previous years’ (2010-2011) performance, the performance is even rising,” said Emmanuel Muvunyi, the Deputy Director General of Rwanda Education Board.According to the examinations timetable, primary school candidates will sit their exams between November 6 to 8 while the Ordinary and Advanced level candidates will sit from November 14 -23.Over 6,500 candidates at Teachers’ Training College candidates will also sit national exams this year. These will be examined by Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) effective this year. Technical and vocational candidates were until last year examined by the Workforce Development Authority (WDA).Technical and vocational exams are expected to be conducted between November 14 and 21.