A total of 425,109 students, from all levels, are expected to sit for national exams slated for mid-July to early August. According to the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), 229,480 candidates will sit for primary leaving examinations, 127,074 and 45,772 are O-level and A-Level candidates respectively. Candidates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are 19,893 and Teachers Training College (TTC) 2,890. Speaking to The New Times, NESA officials revealed that preparations for examinations are ongoing, pointing out that registration has closed, and examination papers have been prepared and are being printed. In addition, they revealed that examination stakeholders are being provided with training based on the digitalisation of the examination process. Last year, about 400 candidates filed complaints on issues that were categorized into three types; some students missed subject marks, others had a problem with identification mismatch, and others were unsatisfied with their national examination results. NESA disclosed that it is in the process of digitizing the whole examination process; an initiative they hope will mitigate the issues raised above. NESA encourages parents, guardians, and teachers to ensure that candidates are registered and well prepared to sit for national examinations, and that they also have to work closely with school leaders, to ensure accuracy of the student identification. Candidates speak out Blaise Karenzi, a senior six candidate at GS Gihogwe Catholique in Gasabo district said that he is ready and prepared for the exams and hopes all the challenges faced by former candidates, such as missing subject marks among others, have been fixed this time around. Ange Mukunde, a senior three candidate at ES Kanombe, said that they are studying hard ahead of the national exams for them to get good marks, and revealed that the registration process went well, among others.
