Gov’t announces new examinations date for students in SPLM-IO controlled areas

JUBA – South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education and Instruction has announced a new date for primary eight examinations in areas controlled by the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, a week after saying no exams will take place in opposition-controlled parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei states due to insecurity.

This week, a meeting between the minister of education, Awut Deng Acuil, and the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar ended with conclusion that the government will fix a new date for the examinations.

Vice-President Hussein Abdelbaggi also told students during the office commencement of the examinations in Juba on Monday that the government will fix a new date for exams in opposition-controlled territories.

In a statement this afternoon, the minister of education Awut Deng said a new date has been fixed and examining in the areas under the control of the main armed opposition group SPLM-IO will begin on February 15, and end on February 19.

“It is my pleasure to inform the nation that the Ministry of General Education and Instruction and the National Examinations Council have decided to fix new dates for the conduct of Primary eight examinations for the pupils that had missed out on the initial examination,” Awut said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

“Transportation to the locations will take place from Friday 12th through Sunday 14th February 2021 [and] the administration of examination begins on Monday 15th February 2021 and ends by Friday 19th February 2021,” the statement added.