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Following last month’s report by Transparency International, which ranked Rwanda as the fourth least corrupt country in Africa, The New Times spoke to the country’s Chief Ombudsman to make sense of current efforts against corruption. She says Rwanda can do more to fight corruption, starting by educating those who are still young by including values of integrity on the curriculum for primary schools. Teaching the right values to young people is key in fighting against corruption and it is in line with the country’s anti-graft policy.

For the past three years, the Rwanda Education Board (REB) has not ranked schools when releasing results of national examinations. Their reason is simple – ranking increases unnecessary pressure and competition in schools, which promotes malpractices. Surprisingly, in the just released national examinations for primary and ordinary level, an increase in exam malpractices was spotted. In Primary Six alone, cases rose by an eye watering 80.4 per cent to 455, up from 89 reported cases in 2014.

A total of 2,032 primary school books have been stolen in Muhanga District between December 19 last year and February 3. The books were stolen by unidentified people and are suspected to be on sale in Muhanga and Kigali City.

The Mayor of Ngoma District has issued a stern warning to school headmasters who inflate school registers with non-existent students and charge high fees on students sponsored by charity organisations. The authorities would punish anyone found guilty.