Rwanda Investigates More Than 7,000 Candidates Over Suspected National Exam Malpractice.

 

Rwanda Investigates More Than 7,000 Candidates Over Suspected National Exam Malpractices.

On 29^th August 29, 2026 Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and national Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) are still making investigation over 7188 Candidates suspected of examination malpractice following the academic year 2025/2026 National examinations.

Education Minister Honorable Dr. Joseph NSENGIMANA and NESA Director General Dr. Bernard BAHATI express the information during a discussion with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on August 28^th, 2026, the discussion based on recently released Primary Leaving Examination and Ordinary Level Examination Results.

After the Examination Results Release some students have not yet obtained their results due to their Examination Papers were withheld whereas the careful investigation goes on. It is the situation that has attracted attention from a number of students, parents and schools as the upcoming academic year approaches.

 Why Were Students Results Withheld?

Minister of Education in Rwanda NSENGIMANA Joseph accounted for the withholding examination results does not absolutely automatically mean that a candidate has already been allegedly charged of cheating, instead it grants authorities to investigate on the suspicious cases earlier making final decision.

Reportedly by The minister, the examiners identified the candidates whose answers appear to be unordinary identical. In some cases, students reportedly gave similar answers, embodying the false answers though, such patterns may in fact portray and suggest that candidates collaborated during national examination.

The minister said that the suspected results are withheld so that NESA can decide whether malpractice in fact happened. He additionally, emphasized that nor every candidate under investigation will necessarily be allegedly found guilty of.

The 7188 reportedly cases are large scale number of suspected malpractice cases ever recorded in Rwanda’s national examinations history.

 

How Does NESA discover cheating practices in National exam?

Dr. BAHATI Bernard clearly said that NESA investigates various forms of examination malpractice. Some cases are discernibly identified when candidates are found with prohibited materials such as phones written notes, mobile phones or answer papers.
Other cases are detected during marking process where markers may make sure that candidates who sat in the same examination room provided unusual identical answers that entailed mistakes as result of raising concerns.
Usually candidates from distinct schools are mixed in examination room to totally reduce the urge and possibility of planned cheating, but the examination scripts can still disclose patterns that call for further investigation.
 

Candidates can usually appeal.

A significant idea from RBA discussion is that the suspicion is completely not as similar as a final finding. Candidates were suspicious of malpractice have the right to raise their appeal and provide explanation or evidence.

NESA will get into the available information earlier than reaching a momentous decision. This procedure is aimed at protecting students who may have been incorrectly shown when the confirmation of malpractice is being addressed.

Invigilators may face scrutiny.

The invigilation practice also involved concerns regarding on potential assistance from the examination invigilators. Officials reportedly screened candidates ahead of entering in examination rooms, but some of the suspicious cases did not entailed students being caught with written materials as result of raising a number of questions that some students may have been assisted by invigilators who were supervising the examination. Though the minister Joseph NSENGIMANA warned the invigilators who intend to help candidates could face significant legal consequences. Moreover, teachers compromise examination damage the credibility of Rwanda’s Education system clearly assert that should not remain in the teaching profession service.

When will results be released?

The minister of Education told RBA, the investigation was expected to be carried out completely and withheld results be released on Monday, August 31 referring that the deadline is significant due to the new academic year scheduled to begin on September 7^th.

More than 425000 candidates sat on the examinations, NESA reported 276,579 candidates from 3,895 schools took the Primary Leaving Examinations, while 149,015 candidates are from Ordinary Level Examinations. The overall pass rate was reported at 85.7%.

The investigations underline the significance of protecting examination integrity in order to get Nation results influence on students’ next educational steps, making fairness necessary for learners, families and schools. The authorities asserted that every suspicious case must be handled vigilantly so that candidates found guilty receive zero in the affected subject or face further sanctions, while cleared should receive their results without un fair punishment.