Primary and secondary exams for 2016/2017 final year kicked off on Monday in Tonj State.
Abraham Nhial Dheiu, headmaster of Bongo Primary School, says pupils started early because the timetable changed for basic finalists to sit in December.
It is also to give learners time to prepare for the next academic year, he adds.
Garang Kon, a teacher in same school, urges parents, guardians and learners to respect their teachers.
Amel John, a pupil of Don Bosco School, encourages her colleagues who dropped out from learning to be humble to their parents and not lose hope in studies.
The officials were speaking to Radio Don Bosco on Tuesday in Tonj.