PHOTOS: Back-to-school: Students share expectations for new school year

The travels of students returning to schools started on Friday, September 5, ahead of the new academic year, which is set to begin on Monday. The year will begin with new reforms, which saw the introduction of three learning pathways in the Advanced Level of Secondary School, which replaced more than 10 subject combinations. ALSO READ: Are schools ready for Rwanda’s new learning pathways? The first group of students travelling back were those whose schools are located in the districts of Rulindo, Ruhango, Ngororero, Ngoma, Kirehe, and Gisagara. ALSO READ: Kwita Izina: NESA revises return-to-school travel schedule for Musanze, Rulindo Some of the students who took buses to their respective schools from Kigali Pele Stadium, spoke to The New Times about their expectations for the new school year. Tonny Irasubiza, an 18-year-old from Jali Sector in Gasabo District, is set to begin Level Four in Software Engineering at College de Bethel APARUDE in Ruhango District. “Last year, I passed with 40 out of 54 aggregates. At APARUDE, they graded us in aggregates,” he explained. ALSO READ: Kigali's school calendar set to be adjusted as UCI comes to city He added that pursuing software engineering often comes with challenges, particularly when trying to convince parents about the progress made in technology-related subjects. “I want to maintain the good grades, but the main goal is to secure a scholarship in the next three years and make my parents proud,” he said. Sandra Muneza, 17, from Nyamirambo in Nyarugenge District, will begin Senior Five at Nyange Girls’ School of Sciences in Rulindo District. According to her, this year will be more challenging as failure could mean that she repeats the year with a different curriculum. “If I fail and have to join a pathway I did not start with, it could mean going back to Senior Four, which would take us too far back,” she noted. ALSO READ: Travel plan announced ahead of new school year For Diocletien Habimana, an 18-year-old Level Five student in Food and Beverages Operations at Mpanga TSS in Ruhango District, 2025-2026 is a decisive year. “This is my final year, and I am aiming to score above 70 per cent so I can qualify for a scholarship,” he said. Bella Laurene Iriza, a 17-year-old from Runda Sector in Kamonyi District, who studies at Lycée Notre Dame de la Visitation in Rulindo, said she would study harder lest she repeat the year with the new curriculum, which starts with students in Senior Four. “I have to make sure I do not fail, otherwise I could end up repeating and studying in a system I did not start with,” said Iriza, who studies Math, Chemistry and Biology (MCB) in Senior Five. “I am happy with the current system, which I do not want to lose. My focus is on studying harder and avoiding any traps that may lead to failure.” Medard Tubanzimana, who is beginning Senior Four in Automobile Transmission and Control Systems Technology at École Secondaire Sainte Trinité de Ruhango, previously studied at GS Kagitega in Burera District. “I am targeting at least 85 per cent this year, having scored 69 per cent in last year’s national exams,” he said. Teachers are also playing a key role in ensuring students begin the new school year on time. Modeste Ngendabanga, a physics teacher at Collège Karambi in Ruhango, was at the stadium to help the students on their way back to school. “We have been preparing the courses and making sure everything is ready, said Ngendabanga. The buses are available, and there are people assigned to take care of the students. Having someone from their school here at the stadium makes the student more punctual and ensures they arrive on time,” he said. Ngendabanga also reflected on the ongoing education reforms. “We had heard about them, and some preparations were made, but many of the changes will only take shape during the implementation phase this year. For now, it is more of theory than practice,” he explained.

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PHOTOS: Back-to-school: Students share expectations for new school year