Students paraded at Supiri Secondary School before the 2022-2023 examination. March 20 2023. (Photo: Moyo Jacob).

Nearly 45,000 students are sitting for their Certificate of Secondary Education examination across South Sudan starting on Monday.

The candidates of the academic year 2023-2024 will take the test on a range of subjects between December 4, and December 14, 2023.

Among the candidates are 28,000 males and 16,600 females, and also include 887 refugees.

It is the first time that the secondary school leavers are having their final exams within the academic year.

Since 2020, Senior Four exams used to be pushed to the following year due to inconveniences posed by the COVID-10 pandemic measures.

The National Examination has repeatedly warned against malpractices during the countrywide exams and threatens severe penalties.

Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako has called on Invigilators and the security organs to curb irregularities, while Vice President Abdelbagi ordered serious measures including cancelation of exams and prosecution of any person caught aiding exams cheating.