A Rwandan court has ordered the 30-day detention of Kirehe District Vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Janviere Mukandayisenga, and others accused of aiding students in cheating on national exams. The decision was made on September 25, 2026, as the court reviewed a request for provisional detention. Mukandayisenga and 80 others are accused of involvement in helping students cheat on exams. The case stems from an investigation by the National Public Prosecution Authority (RIB) into alleged cheating during the 2025/2026 academic year exams.
According to the RIB, Mukandayisenga is among 81 individuals suspected of involvement in exam cheating. Of these, 39 are officials and employees from various education departments. The investigation revealed that 21 people in Kirehe District alone are implicated. The accused face charges including using their authority for personal gain, forging documents, and breaching professional confidentiality. The RIB's spokesperson, Dr. Murangira Thierry, stated that Mukandayisenga allegedly gave instructions to those in charge of exam centers to help students cheat.
During the preliminary hearing, Mukandayisenga's lawyers requested that he be released on bail, arguing that he is a well-known figure with a fixed residence and therefore unlikely to abscond. As proof of his commitment to complying with court orders, Mukandayisenga offered his car valued at 60 million Rwandan francs and a plot of land worth over 100 million Rwandan francs as collateral. He also provided an insurance policy that could cover any potential damages up to 207 million Rwandan francs.
Mukandayisenga denied allegations that he had given teachers instructions to help students cheat, stating that those accusing him could not provide evidence of him meeting with teachers to give such instructions. The case emerged after a scandal involving cheating on end-of-primary exams for the 2025/2026 academic year. The RIB reported that 81 individuals, including district officials, education officers, school principals, and teachers, were suspected of aiding students in cheating.
The investigation found that 7,188 students were involved in cheating, leading to the re-administration of some exams. The accused officials are said to have facilitated cheating through various means. The court's decision to detain Mukandayisenga and others provisionally aims to prevent potential interference with the ongoing investigation.
The case has highlighted the severity of exam cheating in Rwanda and the government's efforts to address the issue. Education officials and law enforcement agencies are working together to investigate and prosecute those involved. The RIB's efforts to uncover and prosecute individuals involved in exam cheating aim to uphold the integrity of Rwanda's education system.
As the investigation continues, more details about the extent of the cheating and the involvement of other officials may emerge. The case has sparked public interest and debate about the measures needed to prevent exam cheating and ensure fairness in the education system. The outcome of the case is expected to have implications for education governance and policy in Rwanda.
Key points
- Rwandan court orders 30-day detention for Vice Mayor and others accused of aiding students in cheating on national exams
- 81 individuals suspected of involvement in exam cheating, including district officials, education officers, and teachers
- Investigation reveals 7,188 students involved in cheating, leading to re-administration of some exams
