Rwanda shared new national exam results for 2024/2025. We want to know: Are we doing better in Maths, English, and Science than in 2023/2024? We also joined PISA 2025 (an international study). This helps us compare our learners with the world.
What you will learn in this post
- What PISA is and why Rwanda joined.
- Rwanda’s 2024/2025 results and subject facts (Maths, English, Science).
- Simple comparison with 2023/2024 using official bands.
- Where Rwanda stands in Africa
- What schools, parents, and learners can do next.
Rwanda’s New Results (2024/2025)
Overall pass rates
- PLE (Primary 6): 75.64% passed.
- O-Level (S3): 64.35% passed.
Subject performance snapshot:where we are strong, and where we struggle
Primary (PLE):- Kinyarwanda: ~98% pass (very strong)
- English: ~72% pass (good)
- Science & Elementary Technology: ~71% pass (good)
- Mathematics: ~27% pass (needs help)
- English: ~54.85%
- Biology: ~44.75%
- Chemistry: ~52.84%
- Mathematics: ~43.89%
- Physics: ~27.55% (needs help)
What changed from 2023/2024 to 2024/2025?
First, an honest note about the pass-mark change
MINEDUC reminds us that last year Rwanda set a 50% pass mark to make grading clearer. So year-to-year comparisons must be careful. The good news: quality indicators improved, not only the pass mark.
PLE score bands show a clear shift upward
Official figures show fewer very low scores and more learners in higher bands (50–60, 60–70, 70–80, etc.). For example, the share in 50–60 rose from 19.61% (2023/24) to 27.88% (2024/25); 60–70 rose from 12.34% to 23.25%. Low bands (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40) all fell a lot. This is real improvement.
What about Maths, English, Science year-to-year?
- Rwanda gave subject-by-subject pass rates publicly for 2024/25 (see above).
- For 2023/24, the public reports highlight overall trends more than detailed subject percentages. Because of that and the new 50% pass rule we compare using the score bands (which still show improvement).
Bottom line:
- English: strong and stable (PLE ~72% in 2024/25; O-Level ~55%).
- Science: mixed but workable (PLE ~71%; O-Level sciences ~45–53%).
- Maths: remains the hardest (PLE ~27%; O-Level ~44%) and needs targeted help.
What is PISA, and why does it matter for Rwanda?
Simple definition
PISA means Programme for International Student Assessment. It is run by the OECD. It tests 15-year-old students in Reading, Mathematics, and Science. It checks how students use knowledge in real life, not only how they memorize.
Rwanda joined PISA 2025
- Test window in Rwanda: April 28 – June 7, 2025
- 7,455 students from 213 schools took part.
- This is Rwanda’s first PISA main survey.
Why PISA is important for our national outcomes
PISA will help Rwanda:
- Compare with more than 80 other systems.
- Find strengths and gaps in Maths, Reading (English), and Science.
- Guide teacher training and curriculum choices.
- Track new skills like learning with digital tools (a special PISA 2025 domain).
How PISA connects to Rwanda’s 2024/25 results
Reading (English)
- PISA “Reading” looks at how learners understand and use texts in daily life.
- Our English pass rate is good at PLE (~72%) and moderate at O-Level (~55%).
- PISA will show how well 15-year-olds read and think with texts, not only exam items. This helps us see if learners can apply English outside the test room.
Mathematics
- National exams show Maths is the hardest (PLE ~27% pass; O-Level ~44%).
- PISA will test problem solving in real contexts.
- If PISA confirms a gap, Rwanda can target training and materials in Maths.
Science
- At O-Level, Biology (~45%), Chemistry (~53%), Physics (~28%).
- PISA Science checks if students can explain and use scientific ideas in real life.
- Good PISA feedback can shape lab work, projects, and teacher coaching.
Where does Rwanda stand in Africa?
Who in Africa has PISA experience?
- Morocco has recent PISA results (2022). Scores were below OECD averages, but they give African context and lessons. OECD
- PISA for Development (PISA-D) tested in Senegal and Zambia (plus some non-African countries). It showed very low learning levels, which pushed reforms. World Bank Blogs
Rwanda now moves from national-only measures to global benchmarking in PISA 2025, one of a small group of sub-Saharan countries doing this in 2025. This will help us learn faster and focus support where it matters most. (Ministry of Education Rwanda)
Classification in African national exam success
There is no official Africa-wide ranking for national exam pass rates (every country uses different systems). But Rwanda’s overall pass rates (PLE ~75.64%, O-Level ~64.35% in 2024/25) show solid progress and strong language outcomes, with STEM gaps clearly identified. PISA will offer the first fair cross-country comparison for Rwanda in 2026. Ministry of Education Rwanda
Evidence of improvement
Fewer very low scores at PLE
Comparing the score bands year-to-year, we see big drops in the 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 ranges; and big gains in 50–60 and 60–70. This is real progress in learning.
English and Science are holding, Maths is the red flag
- English (PLE ~72%) and Science & Elementary Tech (PLE ~71%) are healthy.
- Maths (PLE ~27%) and Physics (S3 ~27.55%) need urgent attention. The Ministry also underlined this need.
What this means for classrooms
- Keep doing what works in English (reading clubs, simple texts, debates).
- Strengthen Science with hands-on work and low-cost experiments.
- Give extra time and remedial help for Maths basics (number sense, word problems).
What schools and teachers can do now
For Maths (our toughest area)
- Use real-life word problems (market prices in Nyamagabe, bus times in Kigali).
- Practice short daily drills (5–10 minutes) on number facts.
- Set peer tutoring (strong learners help others in small groups).
- Track progress weekly with very short quizzes and feedback.
For English (keep the momentum)
- Do daily 10-minute reading.
- Use simple news or short stories and ask why/how questions.
- Encourage writing (one paragraph a day).
- Try peer observation to improve lessons (see post below).
For Science (make it concrete)
- Use local materials (bottles, seeds, soil) for experiments.
- Link science to farming, health, and clean water at home.
- Let learners predict, test, and explain in their own words.
Helpful reads on Teach Smart Africa
- Innovative classroom ideas: Top 10 Innovative Teaching Methods
- Support struggling learners: Best Ways to Help Students Succeed
- Improve lesson quality: The Power of Peer Observation
Use these guides to build better Maths, English, and Science lessons right away.
External resources (for facts and tools)
- Check results online (official): NESA results portal (24/7). secondary.sdms.gov.rw, sdms.gov.rw
- Official 2024/25 announcements and pass rates: MINEDUC and NESA. NESA
Using PISA well (how Rwanda can benefit)
For teachers and headteachers
- Use PISA feedback to update schemes of work: more problem-solving in Maths, more reasoning in Science, more applied reading in English.
- Plan school-based CPD (peer observation, demo lessons, reflective meetings).
- Share simple data walls in staffrooms (weekly goals, small wins).
For parents and students
- Build a study routine at home (same hour daily).
- Encourage questions (“How did you solve it?”, “Why do you think so?”).
- Limit phone time before bedtime; protect sleep for better memory.
For district officials and partners
- Target Maths remediation in the most affected schools.
- Support science kits and low-cost labs.
- Back reading clubs and library corners in every school.
Clear answers to common questions
Did Rwanda improve from 2023/24 to 2024/25?
Yes, at PLE we see improvement: many more learners moved into 50–60 and 60–70 score bands, and many fewer stayed in very low bands. This is a real gain.
Which subjects still worry us?
Maths (PLE and S3) and Physics (S3) are the main concerns in 2024/25. English is fair to good; Science is mixed.
When will PISA 2025 results be public?
Global PISA results release in 2026. Then Rwanda can compare with other countries and plan next steps. (Wisconsin DPI)
A simple plan for a better 2025/2026
In every Maths lesson (10 quick ideas)
- Start with real-life word problem.
- Practice number facts for 5 minutes.
- Show one worked example.
- Let learners try two similar problems.
- Use pair check (explain your steps).
- Ask one why question.
- Give one short quiz item.
- Mark fast; give one tip.
- Praise one small win.
- Exit ticket: “What did I learn?”
In English (reading to think)
- Daily 10-minute reading (short text, simple questions).
- Vocabulary box on the wall (new words each week).
- One paragraph writing a day (with feedback).
- Peer reading once a week.
In Science (hands-on and local)
- Try mini-experiments with local items.
- Link to community life (water, soil, plants).
- Use draw-and-explain to show understanding.
- End lesson with “What surprised me?”
See our guides on innovative methods, helping students, and peer observation.
PISA is a mirror; our next step is action
Rwanda’s 2024/25 results show hope and hard work. We see gains in the PLE score bands. English and parts of Science are doing well. Maths and Physics need extra push. PISA 2025 will give Rwanda a clear mirror to compare with the world and plan better support for every learner. When the PISA results come in 2026, let’s use them to teach smarter lesson by lesson, school by school.
Call to action:
- Teachers: pick one idea from this post and try it tomorrow.
- Parents: read 10 minutes with your child tonight.
- Leaders: back Maths remediation and science kits in your schools.
Together, Rwanda can raise Maths, strengthen Science, and grow strong readers for PISA and for life.
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