Calm reigns as Std Seven exams continue

IDDY MWEMA

NATIONAL Standard Seven examinations which kicked off in the country yesterday are progressing well as witnessed in various schools in Dar es Salaam.

The ‘Daily News’ yesterday conducted a survey in various primary schools in the city and observed pupils going on well with their exams, where the environment was conducive and peaceful.

In Ilala Municipality at Bunge and Uhuru primary schools, gates were closed to give the pupils a calm environment for their exams by barring people from going into the school premises.

In Kinondoni Municipality at Kisiwani, Makumbusho, Lions and Victoria primary schools premises, police officers were around to make sure that outsiders were not trespassing into the schools and disturb candidates.

According to the Dar es Salaam Regional Education Officer (REO), Mr Raymond Mapunda, examinations were going on well and so far no irregularities had been reported.

“A total of 63,769 pupils are set for the Standard Seven national exams in Dar es Salaam Region and up to this moment I have not received any complaint. We are thankful that all has gone well and I believe that the exams will also end well tomorrow (today),” said Mr Mapunda.

Expounding further, he said all the necessary papers, equipment and invigilators arrived at their respective examination centres on time as per requirements, adding that the equipment for pupils with special needs were transferred to the exam stations.

A total of 795,761 pupils are expected to sit for primary school leaving examination (PSLE) this year. The number of pupils sitting for PSLE has slightly increased by 4.2 per cent in comparison with last year's figures.

In 2015, some 763,602 pupils sat for the leaving exams, where 518,034 pupils passed. The pupils will be tested on five subjects, namely Kiswahili, English, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies. The exams are expected to end today.