Opinion | Harmonize the certificates of education

By Pentecoste C. Erum

OPINION – Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in March this year, pupils and students all over, South Sudan notwithstanding, were sent home until further notice. Up until recently, I read some news concerning re-opening of schools et al (of course with measures to be correctly put in place). In fact, many schools, for candidates’ classes, across the nation had been opened early this month.

The said pupils and students, exactingly Primary and Secondary, will have, according to the schedule circulated by the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, to attend classes all the way to 2021 (early next year) — when they will be able to sit for their national examinations.

After they sit for the examinations, the Primary School Leavers shall be awarded Primary Leaving Certificates (PLCs) while the Secondary School Leavers will be awarded Certificates of Secondary Education (CSE). This is what I know about the South Sudan Examinations both Primary and Secondary together with the respective Certificates given at the end of completion.

This is, to a certain extent, different from the Kenyan system of examinations and bestowing of certificates. I studied in Kenya the whole of my Primary and Secondary education – during this particular time, I had come to know how the country through its Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at that time awards the finalists of the different levels of education. The Kenyans call the Certificate of Primary Education ‘KCPE’ (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) while the Certificate of Secondary Education is called ‘KCSE’ (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education).

Note the use of KCPE and KCSE as likened to ours. Theirs has some bit of consistency (KCPE and KCSE – the only difference being ‘P’ and ‘S’ – i.e. the level). This is how Kenya has harmonized its system of examinations and decorations in a manner that suits its notice.

South Sudan has fundamentally inherited the Kenyan system of education i.e. 8-4-4. In so much that a pupil/student has to go past eight years in Primary level, 4 years in secondary level (and 4 years at the university level) – and the Primary and Secondary School Leavers are awarded the certificates I have particularized above.

For that reason, and for the need of synchronization of our examinations and awards, the way Kenyans did theirs, I am of the view that South Sudan does the same. In a way that Primary School Leavers be awarded CPE (Certificate of Primary Education – not PLC anymore) while those of the Secondary remains the way it is – CSE (Certificate of Secondary Education). Perchance the Ministry of General Education and Instruction can frame it like CPE (SS) and that of Secondary be CSE (SS) – the difference, if need be, be “P’ and ‘C’ – that is the Levels.

This is my humble bid to the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to look at and see if it can work that way. I remain a devoted South Sudanese citizen and will continue to contribute my opinions if and when necessary.

The author is a concerned citizen and can be reached via: pennerum@gmail.com.

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