Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has ordered that municipal and provincial authorities cooperate with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to ensure that the high school diploma examinations on December 27-28 go smoothly.

In a letter dated December 17, Sar Kheng told them to provide police officers for security to ensure safety and public order at the examination centres across the country.

He said municipal and provincial authorities need to help with the transport and security of the exam paper boxes and candidate worksheets, maintaining order at all stages of the exams.

They must also help with preventing the copying of various documents related to the exams and temporarily suspend businesses that copy documents near the examination centres.

Police officers must also maintain the security and safety of candidates, parents or guardians who come from afar to stay near the exam centres. The minister advised local authorities to communicate with the owners of guesthouses, hotels, restaurants and canteens to discourage increased rental fees for students and their families who are coming from rural areas and staying near the centres.

He reminded the local authorities of the possible need for ambulances and medical staff in case of any health emergencies that occur due to the large number of people travelling to the examination centres.

Education ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha said a press conference presided over by minister Hang Chuon Naron will be held on December 20 to update the progress made on preparing for the examination.

“Similar to last year, the ministry request cooperation with the interior ministry, Anti-Corruption Unit, Union Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) and local authorities to participate in all stages of the exam process and to practice the principles of justice, transparency and acceptable results that are also in line with health safety measures,” he said.

According to Soveacha, exam candidates must obtain a score of 237 out of a total of 500 to pass. This year, the total number of candidates taking the exam is 115,139 at 204 centres with 4,652 rooms run by 612 exam committees and at least 1,578 assistants.