Over 40, 000 students begin Senior Four exams
National Examination Council, which initially expected to register 65000 candidates, registered 48,484 candidates; still recording an increase in student entries this year compared to last
By Anak Dut
At least 48,484 students began their South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (SSCSE) examination in 319 centres across the country on Monday.
Among the candidates sitting for the exams are 28,551 males and 19,993 females.
Addressing the candidates at the ceremonial bell-ringing to signify the start of examinations, Hussein Abdelbagi, the Vice President for the Service Cluster cautioned the students from participating in any form of exam malpractice.
“Do not get involved in exam malpractice because your exam will be cancelled and you will have to do the exam again in the year ahead,” he said.
“To all the teachers, I want you to invigilate with integrity and if you get involved in exam malpractice, you will show that you are not a professional teacher.”
Abdelbagi hinted that any teacher who involves himself or herself in exam malpractices will be arrested and prosecuted.
On his part, Simon Nyok Deng, the Secretary-General of the South Sudan National Examination Council stated that they will ns protect the exam invigilators as well as the supervisors.
He revealed that the Council noted an increament in the number of candidates sitting for the SSCSE this year compared to last year. “This year we have 48,484 candidates, which is 6,000 higher than that of the previous year.”
“So we expected much increase but due to the flood that continued to ravage our country, destroying a number of schools, and displacing learners, this has been the case.”
Deng stated that they had initially predicted the number of candidates to be over 65000 but unfortunately, they ended up registering only 48,484.
The officials talked tough, jointly advising students to stay clear of exam malpractice, to ensure integrity in this years results.
Moyi indicated firmly that the examinations monitors and administration have doubled their vigilance thos years as compared to last year, and those intending to cheat in the examinations would have a rough time.
“Give your best, and leave the rest to God,” the Deputy Minister said, warning the students sternly from being complicit.
H.E Abdelbagi, on his part, threw caution on teachers and invigilators, advising them to uphold in the process. “Any teacher involved in exam malpractice will face legal action. Such behaviour undermines the credibility of the educational system,” said the Vice President.
The warnings come hot on the heels following arrests of four teachers in Juba during the weekend over leakage of examinations.
Grace Apollo Musa, the Western Equatoria State Minister for General Education and Instruction said the teachers were arrested in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, and handed over to national authorities to face legal action.
“These teachers are from private and faith-based schools. None of the implicated individuals are from government schools,” Ms. Apollo stated, warning that those found guilty will face the full force of the law.
“So we expected much increase but due to the flood that continued to ravage our country, destroying a number of schools, and displacing learners, this has been the case,” Simon Nyok Deng, the Secretary-General of the South Sudan National Examination Council, said.
