![Students of Bentiu United Secondary School wait for exam bell at the Bentiu IDP camp on Monday, December 4, 2023. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WhatsApp-Image-2023-12-04-at-12.03.11-PM.jpeg?resize=992%2C542&quality=89&ssl=1)
The state’s minister of education and instruction Stephen Tot Chieng confirmed to Sudans Post the participation of 1,136 students, with 930 male students and 206 female students.
Despite previous fears of students missing exams in southern Unity, the minister said no student missed exams this year.
“The South Sudan national examinations started today in Unity State and across the country,” Minister Chien stated during an interview with Sudans Post in his office in Bentiu.
“In Unity State, we have 1,136 students sitting for the examinations, with 930 boys and 206 girls. Despite facing some logistical challenges, we managed to overcome them through coordination within the ministry,” he added.
Despite challenges in transporting exam papers to flood-affected areas in Panyijiar, Leer, Koch, Mayom, and Mayendit counties, the ministry, with support from education partners, ensured the smooth administration of the examinations.
“Our main challenges were the lack of mobility to transport examination papers to flooded areas and the shortage of adequate seating for students,” he said.
One of the candidates, Norino Nyajang Peter, a student at Bentiu United Secondary School, expressed her readiness to face the examinations.
“We started the examinations with Christian Religious Education (CRE) today,” Nyajang stated.
“We are mentally prepared to tackle the first paper with fresh minds. While there are no significant challenges, the early scheduling of the examinations caught us off guard. My message to all girls is to pursue education. Educating a girl is equivalent to educating a nation,” she added.
Nyajang highlighted the discomfort caused by outdated and damaged school benches during the examinations.
“My final message to parents is to educate both boys and girls for a better South Sudan. Compared to two years ago, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of female participants this year,” she said.
The South Sudan national examinations started with Christian Religion Education at 9:00 AM.
The examination bell was rung by Unity State’s acting governor, with humanitarian education partners in Unity State witnessing the event.
It’s very biggest concern that our people keep their children to school.
In honestly we wanted you to continue our education with the help and strong restrictions to the teachers who taught the pupils and students dear honorable ministry Tot,we knew that you’re there for delivering a wonderful message to all directors of our counties to train teachers before the opening of schools.
And thanks very biggest dear sir/Honorable Ministry.