The National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) has released the schedule for how secondary school students will return to school ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year, which begins on September 8. ALSO READ: Kigali's school calendar set to be adjusted as UCI comes to city The return dates fall between September 5 and 8, depending on the location of the schools, according to the statement released by NESA on Wednesday, August 27. On September 5, students whose schools are located in the districts of Ruhango, Ngororero, and Musanze will be facilitated to get buses to ease the movement. September 6 is for students whose schools are located in the districts of Nyanza, Nyamagabe, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rulindo, Gakenke, Rwamagana, and Kayonza. ALSO READ: Schools 94% ready for new subject combination system On September 7, students will return to schools located in Huye, Kamonyi, Karongi, Rutsiro, and Gicumbi districts. Then, on Monday, September 8, schools in the districts of Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Muhanga, Nyaruguru, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Bugesera, Nyarugenge, Gasabo, and Burera will receive students. NESA encouraged parents and guardians to respect the travel schedule and urged local authorities to monitor the programme for returning students. Parents were advised to “send children early, before 11am, check if children wear their school uniform before leaving home, prepare travel fare in advance, and provide return transport fees for holidays.” School administrators were asked to form committees to ensure that school materials are properly used, prepare available food supplies, and remind parents to follow the travel schedule. “Students passing through Kigali must board buses at Kigali Pele Stadium in Nyamirambo. Every student must return to school on the day allocated to their school according to this schedule. This must be strictly observed,” NESA said in a statement on Wednesday. The first term of the 2026-2026 academic year will end on December 19, according to the school year calendar announced by NESA on August 25. After a two-week break, students will resume classes for the second term on January 5, which will last for 13 weeks, concluding on April 3. After another two-week break, the third term will commence on April 20 and continue for 11 weeks, ending on July 3. The school year calendar also provides details on the schedule for national examinations. Primary Leaving Examinations will begin on July 7 and end on July 9. For secondary school students, both in Ordinary Level and Advanced Level, practical national examinations are scheduled for June 1-19, while written exams are scheduled for July 15-24.
