Mathematics in Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Physics in Ordinary Level (O’Level) posted the lowest subject performances in the 2024–2025 national exams, according to results released on Tuesday, August 19, by the Ministry of Education. Only 27 per cent of candidates passed Mathematics at the primary level, while Physics at O’Level registered a 27.55 per cent pass rate, making them the weakest subjects in their respective categories. ALSO READ: National exams: Over 75% pass PLE, 64% pass O- Level In primary, Kinyarwanda recorded the highest pass rate at 98 per cent, followed by Social and Religious Studies (75 per cent), English (72 per cent), and Science and Elementary Technology (71 per cent). Mathematics trailed far behind at 27 per cent. At O’Level, Kinyarwanda again led with 98.51 per cent, followed by Geography and Environment (83.09 per cent), Entrepreneurship (74.77 per cent), History and Citizenship (62.73 per cent), English (54.85 per cent), Chemistry (54.8 per cent), Biology (44.75 per cent), and Mathematics (89 per cent). Physics, however, recorded the lowest performance at 27.55 per cent. Government pledges STEM focus The Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana expressed concern over the results, announcing new measures to strengthen STEM learning. These include mandatory remedial Mathematics classes in primary schools and a policy shift to make Mathematics compulsory at A-Level under the new learning pathways. ALSO READ: Kirehe District emerges top in national exams “These are not good results. We need to put more effort into remedial classes so that pupils can perform better in this subject, just as we must do for Mathematics at A’Level. This shows the need to uplift learning standards in STEM, which will better prepare students for their future,” Nsengimana said. While describing the outcomes as disappointing, the Minister said they provide policymakers with clear areas of focus, comparing the challenge to “a stone in the field that cannot be ignored while farming.” “Now we know where to direct our efforts—whether to teachers, the Rwanda Education Board, the Ministry, or head teachers. We are going to intensify our work. Next time we meet, the numbers must go up. That is our commitment,” he added. ALSO READ: Are schools ready for Rwanda’s new learning pathways? Overall performance A total of 219,926 candidates sat for the PLE, with 219,900 graded. Of these, 166,334 passed, translating into a 75.64 per cent pass rate. Among the successful candidates, 46.8 per cent were male and 53.2 per cent female. At O’Level, 148,702 candidates sat the exams, with 148,676 graded. Of these, 95,674 passed, giving a 64.35 per cent pass rate. Females accounted for 50.2 per cent of passes, while males made up 49.8 per cent.
