South Sudan has called off examinations for some 930 children living in opposition strongholds because of insecurity in these areas.
On Monday, 64,138 pupils in 10 states and three administrative areas started a national primary school-leaving certificate examination, which is scheduled to end on Friday.
However, examinations in seven counties have been called off, including one location in Warrap, the home state of President Salva Kiir, where concerns are now on the number of required personnel available to invigilate the examinations are not enough.
Media reports had suggested that children living in areas controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) of First Vice-President Riek Machar were denied the exams by the government. However, the government explained that the exams were suspended for security reasons.
“They were not denied – we have the challenge of access – we are not allowed as government officials to go to these areas.
“This is the reason why these pupils are not participating [in the exam] today, and there is no any other way for us to take the exam if the personnel in charge are not given access and they are not secure to go to these areas,” Awut Deng Achuil, Minister of General Education and Instructions told the BBC in the capital, Juba, on Monday.
She said the ministry will organise another examination next week for pupils who will miss papers this week due to lack of access to their areas.
