In a significant move, 213 schools across Rwanda, with 7,445 students, will participate in the 2025 PISA international assessment. The assessment aims to evaluate students’ abilities to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Dr. Bahati Bernard, Director General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), announced the country’s participation during the official launch of the PISA campaign at ES Kanombe/EFOTEC on March 17, 2025.
The PISA test targets 15- and 16-year-old students from 91 countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, and Morocco. It will assess students’ competencies in reading, mathematics, and science. Dr. Bahati emphasized that the test would not interfere with regular teaching but would provide a valuable opportunity to gauge the performance of Rwanda’s education system against international standards.
The PISA results, he added, could help identify areas where improvements are needed and offer insights into how Rwanda’s educational system compares to those of other nations. For the students, the test represents a chance to showcase their skills, and for many, it offers an opportunity to break barriers, especially for young girls who may be intimidated by such assessments.
Students Speak Out on PISA 2025
Ingabe Petyia Gerardine, a third-year student at ES Kanombe/EFOTEC, expressed her confidence about the upcoming test. “I am ready for this assessment, especially to encourage other girls who might be scared of it. Many girls fear this kind of exam, but I will motivate them because I have participated before and passed. I am confident I will perform well in PISA 2025,” she said.
She further added that the qualifications students will earn from participating in the PISA assessment would be valuable later in life. “The certificates we will receive will be beneficial as they show that we participated in such a prestigious global assessment.”
Tumukunde Monica, the principal of ES Kanombe/EFOTEC, also highlighted the preparations. “Both the teachers and students have had the chance to learn about this international test. We continue to prepare our students so that when the test day arrives, they are fully ready.”
The students and teachers at ES Kanombe/EFOTEC are gearing up for this important evaluation, with the hope that it will improve their skills and knowledge as they compete on the global stage. For many students, this is not just an academic test, but an opportunity to prove their readiness for the future.
