Rwanda: Academic Calendar - Schools to Reopen On September 7

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying reporting by The New Times in Kigali, says Rwanda’s National Examination and School Inspection Authority has issued the academic calendar for the 2026/27 school year. Under the calendar, schools are due to open for the first term on September 7, 2026, with that term ending on December 17.

The published schedule sets the second term from January 14 to April 2, 2027, and the third term from April 19 to July 2, 2027. NESA also listed key national examination periods for the next school year: practical exams are planned for May 31 to June 18, 2027, the Primary Leaving Examination for July 6 to July 8, and written secondary national examinations for July 14 to July 23.

The announcement follows the close of this year’s national examinations on July 24, with marking already in progress. Jean Claude Hashakineza, the Ministry of Education’s Director General of Communications, told The New Times that dates for releasing results will be announced after marking and quality assurance are completed. He said the timing is intended to give learners, families and schools enough time to prepare before the September reopening.

Hashakineza also said the Ministry and NESA are reviewing the full examination cycle before drawing conclusions about how this year compared with previous years. On reported malpractice at some centres, he said investigations are ongoing and that any confirmed cases and disciplinary steps will be communicated after the national examination review is finished. The calendar gives schools and households a planning framework for fees, staffing, lessons and exam preparation.