Over 1000 student seat Sudan School Certificate in Unity state

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

March 28, 2011 (BENTIU) – Sudan School Certificate examinations for the academic year 2011 started yesterday in Unity state with about 1,482 students sitting the exam on March 28.

The state minister of education Them Kuol Machar told Sudan Tribune on Monday that, all arrangements had been successfully completed for the conduct of examinations in the town and other counties within the state.

He added that there have been 10 examination centers, one in Parieng County, one in Abiemhnom County, two from Rubkotna County and six were within Bentiu town. He said 318 girls and 1164 boys took the exam this year.

Machar affirmed his ministry’s commitment to follow up the necessary implementation arrangements to conduct the exams in cooperation with ministry of education in the government of South Sudan.

There are two language options in the exam. Students can choose between English and Arabic. In South Sudan most students prepare for the exam in English. Those who recently returned to the South from the North normally choose Arabic.

English became an official language of Sudan since a 2005 North-South peace deal. The peace agreement gave the South the option to separate from the North in a referendum, which they voted for by a overwhelming majority.

South Sudan’s education system is recovering after decades of conflict. In July the South is due to officially secede from the North.

(ST)