By Ijoo Bosco
The Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Eastern Equatoria State has received a consignment of national primary school examination papers ahead of the scheduled examinations, as authorities intensify preparations to ensure a smooth and secure examination process across the state.
The examination materials arrived at Torit Airstrip, where the State Caretaker Minister of General Education and Instruction, Ibwaha Lucy Allam, officially received them before handing them over to the national security apparatus for safekeeping pending distribution to designated examination centres.
Minister Ibwaha welcomed the national delegation that delivered the examination papers, led by Ariik Kuol Ariik, Deputy Secretary for Test Development and Primary Examinations, alongside a team of invigilators from Juba.
Speaking during the reception, Minister Ibwaha called on education stakeholders, security agencies and examination officials to work together to ensure the successful administration of the examinations.
She emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, cooperation and proper coordination in safeguarding examination materials and ensuring their timely delivery to all examination centres across Eastern Equatoria.
“The successful conduct of these examinations requires teamwork, commitment and cooperation from everyone involved. We must work together to ensure that all examination centres receive their papers on time and that candidates sit their examinations in a secure and organised environment,” the minister said.
For his part, Ariik Kuol Ariik underscored the importance of collaboration between national and state education authorities in ensuring the smooth conduct of the examinations.
He called for close coordination among education officials, invigilators and other stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We appeal to all stakeholders to work collectively and ensure that the examination process is conducted smoothly, with the necessary arrangements in place to support candidates across the state,” Ariik said.
Meanwhile, education authorities and partner organisations have joined efforts to share the transportation costs required to deliver examination papers to all designated centres across Eastern Equatoria State before the commencement of the examinations.
The joint arrangement is expected to ease logistical challenges associated with transporting examination materials to different locations, particularly areas that may be difficult to access.
The arrival of the examination papers marks a significant milestone in the state’s preparations for the national primary examinations, with authorities expected to maintain close coordination to ensure the timely distribution, security and smooth administration of the examinations.