Kigali — Examinations for O-level and A-level candidates start today, with more than 97,000 students expected to write their exams this morning.

This was announced yesterday by the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda National Examination council (RNEC), John Rutayisire.

Speaking to The New Times, Rutayisire said that all preparations to ensure smooth running of the exercise have been completed.

He said the overall number of students sitting for O and A - level exams has increased by 5 percent compared to last year.

53,378 candidates are sitting for O-level compared to the 50,928 who sat last year. While 43,829 students have been registered to sit for A-level exams compared to the 40,844 in 2008.

Girls sitting for this year's O-level exams constitute 48 percent. in A-level they are 46.

The number of private candidates this year fell by 7 percent compared to those who did exams last year. Last year 10,679 sat for exams in private centres but this year only 9,979 registered.

This year students will, for the very first time, do science practical exams which will be held in 72 centres around the country.

Rutayisire said that the exams body had beefed up security at all centres and deployed many supervisors.