Students are frisked by officials before entering the Grade 12 national exams at Preah Sisowath High School on August 21, 2018. Post PIX
The Ministry of Interior has called on the governors of Phnom Penh and the provinces to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and specialised institutions to ensure security, safety and order during this year’s Grade 12 national examinations on August 19-20.
The directive came in a letter which was signed by Ministry of Interior secretary of state Sak Setha was obtained by The Post on Saturday.
The letter requested the governors to organise security forces to safeguard the security and safety of candidates and their parents, maintain order at examination centres and ensure that examination paper boxes and candidates’ assignments are not compromised during transport.
The ministry also urged the governors to prevent irregularities during exams such as the use of electronic devices and the copying of documents.
Speaking to The Post on Sunday, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport spokesman Ros Soveacha said his ministry was ready for the examinations and welcomed the collaboration of all stakeholders as in previous years.
“This collaboration reveals the spirit of solidarity for the common cause of supporting the nation’s human resources,” he said.
Last Wednesday, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng presided over a ceremony to launch a report assessing applications made by foreign nationals for permanent residence cards, as well as evaluating its campaign to revoke false and irregular documents from migrants.
Sar Kheng, who is also deputy prime minister, urged the General Commissariat of the National Police, municipal and provincial administrations, and police headquarters in Phnom Penh and the provinces to fulfil their duty to maintain security and order during the Grade 12 examinations.
“We are doing what we can to ensure the quality, safety and integrity of the examinations. I will issue further written guidance at the request of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport,” he said.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport announced that, despite not having observers from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), it would collaborate with the ACU if any corruption was reported.
Some 119,217 candidates, including 61,031 girls and five students with disabilities, will be sitting this year’s Grade 12 national examinations. That total figure is an increase of 5,852 students compared to last year, Sar Kheng said.
The students will be tested at 202 examination centres – six more than last year.
Youth Council of Cambodia executive director Im Sothy backed the move to strengthen the oversight of the examinations and the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to prepare provincial and district level authorities to supervise their smooth running.
“What worries me, though, is that the measures will be ordered but not implemented effectively. If the government and the Ministry of Interior only issue letters, it’s not good. But if we all strive to carry out this work and do what is required, I think it will improve the education system,” he said.
