South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Ministry of General Education and Instruction has registered 79,010 pupils to sit for the 2024 Certificate of Primary Education exams which commenced on Monday.
Speaking to pupils during the official ceremony to announce the start of the exams, the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi, called the exams a defining moment for both pupils and teachers, stressing that this assessment will evaluate the progress made in education over the past years.
“This is a critical step for you to demonstrate how much you have learned. The 79,010 candidates sitting for the 2024 Certificate of Primary Education Examination include 35,735 female students and 43,275 male students, spread across 551 centers nationwide,” said Abdelbagi in Juba.
He highlighted that this year’s large number of candidates is a testament to the country’s investment in education.
“We have invested in your primary education for the last eight years. Now, it is time for you to show that you are ready for secondary school,” said Abdelbagi.
He urged all candidates to approach the exams with integrity, warning that any form of malpractice would be met with severe consequences.
Teachers were also reminded of their role in ensuring the exams are conducted fairly and without interference.
“You must maintain the highest moral and professional standards while monitoring the exams. Any teacher found facilitating malpractice will face criminal prosecution,” said Abdelbagi.
For her part, the National Minister for General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng Acuil, encouraged the pupils to focus on their studies, stating that teachers have done their best in preparing the pupils for the exams.
Awut appealed to teachers across the country to refrain from any involvement in exam cheating.
“Do not assist students in any way. You have already prepared them adequately,” she said.
Awut also addressed the students directly, urging them not to seek help from others during the exam.
“You have the intelligence and ability to succeed on your own. You are the leaders of tomorrow, and I do not want to hear of any cheating,” she said.
