Northern province: Rwanda’s PISA awareness campaign gains momentum

Elias Hakizimana Mar 19, 2025 0 Comments

By Prince Boris Cyubahiro

The Program for International Students Assessment (PISA) awareness campaign continues to make strides in the northern province of Rwanda after being launched in Gakenke district on March 18, 2025.

It was welcomed by school headteachers and students, who are eager to participate in this prestigious international competition spearheaded by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).

Marie-Thérèse Uwamahoro, Vice Mayor of Gakenke District in charge of Social Affairs, presided over the launch of a specialized training program aimed at educating school leaders and education inspectors on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

The program’s objective is to raise awareness, enhance preparation, and encourage active student participation in this globally recognized assessment.

PISA, which evaluates students’ knowledge and critical thinking skills across 93 countries, is a crucial benchmark for academic excellence. Acknowledging its significance, Gakenke District has selected six schools to take part in the competition.

Uwamahoro emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, stating, “We urge school administrators to ensure that, once trained, they pass on this knowledge to teachers, who will then guide students in familiarizing themselves with PISA’s assessment format.”

Calixte Musabyimana, the head of Collège Méthodiste de Rushashi (CMR) in Rushashi Sector, highlighted the transformative impact of the training, emphasizing its value in improving education standards.

“In addition to the traditional teaching methods we use to impart knowledge and assess students’ understanding through exams, PISA provides an additional approach to evaluating competencies. This new method will help us better gauge students’ knowledge levels and enhance the quality of education. We are committed to working closely with teachers and students in our schools to introduce them to PISA, its benefits, and how they can familiarize themselves with its assessment techniques,” he stated.

Schools poised for PISA success

Educational institutions in the region have demonstrated a strong commitment to excelling in PISA.

Faustin Niyibizi, head of ESSA Ruhengeri, a girls-only school in Musanze District offering academic streams such as Nursing (MCB, PCB) and MEG, affirmed their readiness.

“As a school, we have previously participated in various academic competitions, and we are committed to ensuring that our students prepare rigorously while adhering to PISA regulations. Our goal is to represent ESSA Ruhengeri with honor and bring pride to Rwanda,”he remarked.

Students embrace the challenge with confidence

Students at ESSA Ruhengeri have expressed excitement and confidence in their ability to perform well in PISA.

Miracle Gihozo, a third-year student, highlighted the significance of this opportunity:

“Having PISA introduced in Rwanda is a great advantage for us. We have previously engaged in competitions such as i-Debate and Dental Health contests, so we are not intimidated. We understand that PISA assesses critical thinking abilities, and we are ready for the challenge.”

Similarly, second-year student Gaël Giramata shared her enthusiasm:

“When we learned about PISA being an international assessment, we became eager to test our abilities on a global scale. We have excelled in other competitions like AIMS, and since PISA also focuses on critical thinking, we feel prepared and confident to participate.”

With the combined dedication of students, teachers, and administrators, Gakenke District is poised to make a strong impression in PISA, showcasing the strength of Rwanda’s education system on the world stage.

The campaign’s momentum reflects a collective commitment to academic excellence, positioning Rwandan students for success in global educational assessments.