The Ministry of education says it has put down security measures to ensure that schoolchildren sit the national exams without interruption.

The South Sudan Secondary School Certificate Examinations started this morning in seven states.

The first papers were Christian Religious Education and Islamic Religion.

Deputy Minister of Education, Bol Makueng, rang the bell at Supiri Secondary School in Juba, marking the commencement of the exercise.

“It is our great joy that you will sit and pass these exams. The environment will be kept quite so that you work undisturbed,” said Mr Makueng.

Central Equatoria State Acting Minister of Education Dr Emanuel Ija Baya, encouraged the students to sit the examinations without fear.

Eye Radio also spoke to some students before the examinations started.

“We are 100% prepared; we have completed all syllabi. I am urging my colleagues to be commitment as we came to school. Let us use our minds so that we can pass the examinations,” said a candidate.

“I am very happy because our examinations have started. We have been waiting for quite a long time after the crisis. We have been patient. I am urging my colleagues to be ambitious for success.”

The head teacher of Supiri Secondary School, Mariala Kapuki, urged the students not to panic during the examinations.