By Burnett Munthali
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has announced that the administration of the Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations will proceed as scheduled on Sunday, 9th June, 2024.
This announcement follows the government’s declaration of Eid Ul Adha as a public holiday.
In a statement issued by the Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, the Ministry emphasized that there will be no changes to the examination timetable.
Students and examination administrators are expected to report to their designated examination centres on time and carry out their duties without interruption.
The Ministry’s decision underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity and continuity of the national examination calendar.
However, the statement clarified that all other learners, except those sitting for the JCE examinations, will observe the Eid Ul Adha holiday and will not attend classes.
This decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some commending the government for upholding academic schedules while others feel the move does not respect the religious significance of Eid Ul Adha for Muslim students.
Education stakeholders are urging the Ministry to provide adequate logistical support to ensure smooth examination administration on the holiday.
Meanwhile, security and transport concerns have been raised, especially for candidates in rural areas where movement might be limited due to the public holiday observance.
Despite the concerns, the Ministry maintains that everything is in place to facilitate a smooth examination process.
As the country balances educational priorities and cultural observances, authorities are calling for understanding and cooperation from all sectors of society.
