As Rwanda’s national examinations begin across the country on July 15, 2026, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) has announced that 27 learners from the Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre will sit this year’s national examinations.
The candidates include 11 pupils who have already completed the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), while 16 others are scheduled to begin their examinations on Wednesday, July 15. Among them are 10 Ordinary Level (O-Level) candidates and six Advanced Level (A-Level) candidates.
Centre Maintains Outstanding Results
The Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre has consistently recorded excellent academic performance, with all learners who previously sat national examinations achieving a 100 percent pass rate.
Many graduates have later benefited from presidential pardon, enabling them to reintegrate into society and continue their education and careers.
According to RCS, this year’s candidates have received the same academic preparation as learners in other schools across Rwanda.
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RCS Clarifies Presidential Pardon
RCS spokesperson CSP Hillary Sengabo emphasized that presidential pardon and provisional release are discretionary decisions rather than automatic rights for learners who complete their studies.
he said: “Giving pardon, being released on bail, those are decisions, not laws, not their rights. You can get them or not. If they haven’t completed their sentence, they should first serve it before pursuing other opportunities.”
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Education Continues Beyond Secondary School
Sengabo explained that learners who complete secondary school while still serving rehabilitation measures can continue with vocational education within the correctional system if they have not yet completed their sentences.
He noted that vocational training opportunities are available to ensure they continue developing practical skills while undergoing rehabilitation.
Pardon Does Not Erase Criminal Record
The RCS spokesperson further explained that although presidential pardon or provisional release restores an individual’s freedom, it does not erase their criminal record or exempt them from complying with the law.
he said: “It does not remove the fact that a crime was committed. Being granted pardon or temporary release does not erase that criminal record.”
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Reintegration into Society
According to Sengabo, once beneficiaries complete their rehabilitation or receive presidential pardon, responsibility for monitoring their reintegration shifts to local government authorities, who help them access identification documents and other public services.
Although some former beneficiaries have reoffended, RCS says cases of repeat offending remain relatively low.
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Hundreds Continue Learning
The Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre currently accommodates hundreds of children who are enrolled in formal education or vocational training programmes.
Since the education programme began, 236 children, including 16 girls, have successfully completed national examinations at the centre, while more than 68 have received presidential pardon.
Nationwide, 258,255 learners are expected to sit Rwanda’s national examinations during the 2025/2026 academic year, including more than 149,000 O-Level candidates alongside learners completing other national assessment levels.
