Primary school leaving exams kick off in Rumbek amid ongoing security concerns

February 2, 2015 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Lakes state capital Rumbek have announced that more than 3,000 pupils across the state are currently sitting for their primary school leaving certificate.

State minister for education Dut Makoi said schools affected by ongoing by insecurity had been relocated to safe centres in Rumbek town.

The worst affected schools are Malek-agok, Abiriu, Cueibet, Malou-pec, as well as others located in the western part of Greater Yirol.

Of the 3,119 students sitting for the exams, 627 are girls.

The exams are being conducted in 20 centres across Lake state’s eight counties.

Most of the centres are located inside Rumbek town due to security concerns in outlying areas.

“We have schools which are affected by insecurity, but we have relocated all of them to peaceful areas,” said Makoi.

Children had also been moved into Rumbek Central county to allow them to safely sit their exams, he added.

“We have also problems in Abiriu and Malou-Pec in Cueibet county, [but] we have moved the children to peaceful areas so we have only one child who is affected by insecurity [who] is sitting at police headquarters,” he explained.

In a separate report, Lakes state’s criminal investigation department said three people were confirmed dead amid fresh clashes between the Rup and Kuei sections in what is an ongoing cycle of revenge attacks.

A senior CID officer who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sudan Tribune that four people were killed in Rumbek Central on Sunday in counters attacks carried out by the Rup and Kuei sections.

The incidents included a house attack, as well as a roadway ambush between Rumbek Central county and Malek payam (district) that left one person dead.

(ST)