The Ministry of Education has announced the results for the 2023/2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Ordinary Level National Examinations, highlighting both successes and areas needing improvement.
According to Minister of Education Gaspard Twagirayezu, 201,950 students sat for the primary leaving exams this year, with impressive pass rates across most subjects.
Notably, 99.5% of students passed both science and elementary technology as well as Kinyarwanda, reflecting strong competence in these areas. Social and Religious Studies also saw an exceptionally high pass rate, with 99.7% of students succeeding.
However, the results revealed significant challenges in mathematics and English.
While 90.7% of students passed English, the pass rate for mathematics was considerably lower at 71.9%. Minister Twagirayezu emphasized the need for increased efforts to improve proficiency in these subjects at the primary level, acknowledging that these foundational skills are critical for students’ future academic success.
In total, 203,098 students participated in the national exams for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The results were announced by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority, which oversees the examination process and ensures the integrity and fairness of the results.
While presenting the results, Minister Twagirayezu highlighted the need for targeted interventions to boost performance in mathematics and English.
He also noted that there is a similar need for improvement in science subjects at the ordinary level, stressing that these subjects are crucial for Rwanda’s development goals.
The 2023–2024 primary leaving examinations results reflect a strong overall performance by Rwandan students, with particular strengths in science, Kinyarwanda, and social studies.
However, the Ministry of Education recognizes the importance of addressing the gaps in mathematics and English to ensure that all students have the skills they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.
The Ministry is expected to implement strategies to enhance learning outcomes in these areas in the coming years.
