Machar’s office confirms P. 8 exams will take place on Monday in opposition-controlled areas

JUBA – The office of South Sudan’s First Vice President has confirmed that Primary Eight examinations in opposition-controlled parts of Jonglei and Upper Nile states will take place next Month as announced by the Ministry of General Education and Instruction this afternoon.

South Sudan’s minister of general education Awut Deng last week said some areas that are under opposition control in Jonglei and Upper Nile states would miss exams because of security concerns that have been raised by the government.

This afternoon, Ms Deng announced that an understanding has been reached between the ministry and the SPLM-IO that will let exams to be administered in the areas that missed the exams on Monday saying the exams will commence from 15 February to 19 February.

In a statement, First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar Teny’s office confirmed that an understanding has been reached with the ministry of general and the exams will begin on Monday as announced by the ministry of general education with a team of SPLM-IO officials accompanying the education ministry’s team.

“The Office of the First Vice President would like to inform the public that the Primary 8 school examinations are expected to take place soon in about 19 centers in the areas controlled by the SPLM/SPLA (10) in Upper Nile and Jonglei states. This was resolved today in the Services Cluster meeting. The Examiners, etc., will be accompanied by a delegation of officials from the Parties concerned, mainly the ITGONU and SPLM/SPLA (IO),” the statement signed by Machar’s press secretary James Gatdet Dak said.

“His Excellency the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, as usual, has directed the authorities in the areas where the examinations will take place to cooperate and provide security and protection to all those who will be taking the examinations materials, as well as the Examinees,” the statement added.

It further added that “The Office wishes the Ministry of General Education and Instructions a great success in ensuring that all children in the Republic of South Sudan do the exams.”