More than 2,000 candidates sit SSCSE in EES

After an attempt by the national Minister of General Education to reduce the centres to just three, 2,293 senior four candidates are writing their examinations in 27 centres in East Equatoria State.

The EES candidates include 766 females and 1,527 males.

The Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Mary Alphonse Lodira, who rang the bell, told the candidates that the government was keen to ensure that the exercise was a success.

Meanwhile, the State Minister of General Education and Instructions, Sammy Lopeyok Aperengole, urged students to put in more effort in order to pass the exams.

The exam is held at 27 locations across the state, including Torit, Magwi, Ikwoto, Budi, Kapoeta South, and Kapoeta East.

According to Aliandro Lotok, the governor’s press secretary, candidates have also emerged in Lafon and Kapoeta North counties, respectively.  He said they are providing security and safeguarding the centres to secure the candidates.

The National Minister of General Education and Instructions, Awut Deng Acuil, wrote to Governor Louis Lobong Lojore in early March, directing that candidates only travel to Nimule, Torit, and Kapoeta for the examinations.

The decision was described by the State Parliament as a breach of children’s right to education, given the immense distance and enormous risks  the candidates would face in order to reach the proposed places.

Following the state authority’s objection, Governor Lobong wrote to the minister, stating that the decrease in examination centres would not be possible this year because the modifications were made at such short notice, when the state, students, and parents were unprepared.

Achuil alleged a lack of protection from the South Sudan National Police Services and Security and cancelled all Primary Eight (P.8) examinations in SPLA-IO controlled territories on February 4, 2021, five months after ratification by the council of ministers in September 2020.