20 January 2014 - Ringing a bell today at Yabongo Primary School in the Western Equatoria capital Yambio, Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro launched primary leaving examinations for thousands of pupils in the state.

A total of 2,106 students, including 606 girls, are sitting the two-day exams, which are taking place in all 10 counties of the state, compared to 1,800 pupils who sat last year.

The governor said he expected better results this year, noting that pupils performing poorly were loitering on the streets and spending too little time on school work.

“Your future is in your hands … especially girls,” the governor said. “You play with your future, you will remain on the street.”

“I will never allow illiterate people to govern this state,” he added. “If you are not well educated, you will not get a position in the government.”

State Minister of Education Pia Phillip said teachers had tried their best to prepare students, who faced challenges like makeshift classrooms, lack of trained teachers and a high dropout rate for girls due to forced marriages and early pregnancies.

The South Sudanese government had suggested supporting schools with allocation grants, but these have yet to begin, and students will be still charged the registration fee, Mr. Phillip said.