Primary school leaving certificate exams underway in Bentiu PoC site and elsewhere

Primary school leaving certificate exams underway in Bentiu PoC site

Primary school leaving certificate exams underway in the UNMISS Bentiu PoC site.

16 Dec 2016

Primary school leaving certificate exams underway in Bentiu PoC site and elsewhere

Jacob Ruai/Filip Andersson

More than 900 pupils are entering the last day of sitting for their primary leaving certificate examinations in the Unity area. More than half of them have been schooled within the UNMISS Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Bentiu, where they are also taking their exams.

The exam period was officially opened on Monday 12 December by the deputy top authority in Bentiu, John Juor Yoach, who wished the aspiring candidates well and encouraged them to continue to work hard.

 “Two years ago we were in a crisis, we did not managed to let our young children attend the examinations, but now peace has come and it is time for you to continue your education because you are the future for this nation”, Mr. Yoach said.

 “A total of 937 pupils are sitting their tests at a total of eleven centres in the counties of Mayiendit, Panyijiar, Rubkona and Mayom”, says Bashir Ali, Education Coordinator for the international NGO Intersos’ office in the Unity area.

The exams end on Friday 16 December and are being supported by UNICEF and other education partners. UN Police are providing security at the test centres within the PoC site as part of UNMISS support to the process. Many of the children in the PoC site have been schooled there for the last three years.