South Sudan’s National Examination Council has warned candidates and teachers not to cheat to avoid the severe consequences of four years in prison.
Secondary Certificate Exams kicked off this morning nationwide. The Director of the Examination Council, Simon Nyok Deng says security is deployed to avoid such cases happening.
He says the government will punish anyone found involved in trying to give a student answers.
“The punishment is severe we have people in jail now that were caught in some form of malpractice last year, we arrested them. If you are found doing malpractice whether your candidate or teacher or even the security agent you can save up to 4 years in jail.
Deng says more than thirty-five thousand students are taking the exam this year, a high number of candidates registered compared to previous years.
“This year we have registered highest ever in secondary education exams, and thirty-five thousand, four hundred and fifty-nine (35,459) with over twelve thousand (12,000) girls partaking in this exams, and so we are happy that the number keeps raising and we hope as we continue to invest in education the number of boys and girls will continue to increase,” Nyok said.
The director regrets challenges in the connectivity of the road network in delivering the examination, especially in greater Upper Nile.
“In terms of conflict, we have not registered any concern, but we have been faced with serious challenges with road network connectivity, especially in greater Upper Nile where we had difficulties in delivering exams, but with the support of our partners and our government, we have been able to reach all the corners on the country,” he added.
The Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Sarah Nene urges the students to be calm, and positive in doing their exams. She calls on students to work hard and get the first position when the result is announced.
“This is not the first time you are sitting for exams, so be calm, sit, open the paper then do the requirement given, and my wish for you all is to get good results I want to see you all in different Universities even abroad.”
She promises to pray for the students, urging them to put God first before they open their papers.
This year about 35,459 students are sitting for the national examination countrywide, out of the total number, 12,000 are females.
The students start their exams with arts and design and end with financial accounting on Friday 31st of March 2023.
The bell was rung by the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State at Supiri Secondary School in Juba.