EHP schools set for Grade 8 exams

EASTERN Highlands education officials are confident that examination papers will reach all primary schools in time for the 5,000 Grade Eight students to start their examinations today.
Eastern Highlands provincial examination supervisor, Felix Dennis, and his officers worked round the clock last week and at the weekend to distribute examination papers to all primary schools in the eight districts of the province.
This is a challenging task because of the size of the province and the remoteness of schools in faraway districts like Okapa, Marawaka, Lufa and Nambayufa.
Poor road conditions make the job even harder, but Mr Dennis said he was satisfied that they had done what they could.
“Eastern Highlands will not encounter any problems with the distribution of the examination papers.
“Every student will sit for the examination on Monday (today) morning,” he said at the weekend.
He said after completion of the examinations, the papers would be brought to Goroka for marking to commence on Nov 9 and run through to Nov 13.
He also said of the 5,000 students who would sit for the examinations, fewer than 2,000 would not continue to Grade Nine due to lack of space in conventional schools.
He said the figure of 3,000 given in a news report last Friday was slightly exaggerated.
He said there were enough spaces in the existing high and secondary schools to accommodate 75% of the students, while the rest would be encouraged to enrol in distant study centres.
There are 104 primary schools in the province.
Mr Dennis thanked the teachers, schools boards and parents for preparing the students to sit for the examinations.
“We are confident that our students will do well this year to maintain the top ranking result the Eastern Highlands province has enjoyed over the years,” he added.