Over 5,000 sit for primary leaving exam in Lakes State

RUMBEK – More than 5,000 pupils in Lakes State sat for South Sudan’s Primary Leaving Examination on Monday.

Speaking during the launch of the exams in Rumbek, Lakes State’s minister of general education and instruction, Nelson Makoi Makur, thanked Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for his unwavering support of quality education.

“I would also acknowledge the incredible efforts and efficiency that you have put towards your education,” Makur told the students. “You wake up late at night and early in the morning to prepare, and your excellent knowledge has brought you to this moment.”

He urged the students to believe in themselves and to view the exam as a stepping stone towards future possibilities.

Priscilla Angeth Mathen, a student from Deng Nhial Primary School in Rumbek, expressed her determination to pass the exam despite giving birth to a son on November 13.

“I hope that I will pass this primary school examination,” she said. “I’m reading hard to make sure I pass the examination. It’s the only way for me to pass through exams. It’s through readings.”

Peter Ater Makur, a student from Agergum Primary School, said the students were confident about the exam and were committed to avoiding cheating.

“We are reading, and we have committed ourselves. We will try to read and we don’t want machot (cheating). We have to be committed and to pass this exam alone,” he said.

Emmanuel Bol Madut, a member of the National Examination Council and Director of Logistics and Procurement in the Ministry of Education, said the council had taken measures to prevent cheating, including deploying security personnel and invigilators.

“We have come to Lakes State as four people for four different counties, and I am here in Rumbek center,” Madut said. “We have kept the exams in a secure place, and we will ensure the exams are conducted fairly.”

Abuod Athian, State Secretary for Examinations in Lakes State, confirmed that over 5,000 students were sitting for the exam at 143 schools across the state. He emphasized the importance of fair exams and urged students to focus on their studies.