Rwanda Orders Exam Retakes After Mass Cheating Probe

Kigali, August 30, 2026 - Rwanda's Ministry of Education ordered 7,188 primary learners to retake the 2025/26 Primary Leaving Examinations after investigations confirmed mass cheating in 254 examination rooms.

Officials said some malpractice was organised and facilitated by adults responsible for administering the exams. The ministry said retakes were allowed in the interest of fairness because adults had orchestrated the cheating; under normal circumstances, the affected papers would have been cancelled.

The retakes are scheduled for September 2-4, 2026, with the National Examination and School Inspection Authority expected to issue the timetable and examination centres.

Authorities said adults who organised or enabled the malpractice would be held accountable. The ministry said the integrity of national examinations is non-negotiable and that additional measures will be introduced to strengthen the system.