The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport began correcting grade 12 examination answer sheets on December 11. Each of the correction rooms is equipped with security cameras which are monitored by officials from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
An education ministry delegation led by Nath Buroeun, who is serving as acting minister and chair of the Nationwide Scrutiny Committee – along with senior ACU officials – conducted an inspection of the correction centres on December 11.
Education ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha said that each scoring centre conducted regular meetings to ensure full compliance with the principles of law, justice, transparency and acceptable results.
“The teachers who lead each of the marking teams divided their members into smaller groups and instructed them to maintain high standards at all times. Staff are barred from bringing mobile phones or other electronic devices into the marking centres. Each room will be monitored by ACU officials,” he added.
Ten correction centres have been established in Phnom Penh. They are at Preah Sisowath, Bak Touk, Chea Sim Santhormok, Toul Tom Pong, Boeung Trabek, Chea Sim Boeung Keng Kang, Preah Yukunthor and Hun Sen Bun Rany Wat Phnom high schools, and Santhormok and Preah Norodom primary schools.
Soveacha said the correction phase would last until December 14. Score listing and verification, via computer, would take place from December 16-25.
Candidate Em Sokha Udom, who sat his exam in Kandal province, said he had 80 per cent hope of obtaining a good grade.
“The exams were well organised and nobody had the chance to copy from each other. This is a good thing, as it means that each candidate will pass or fail according to their own abilities. Strict exam policies are important to strengthen the education system,” he said.
The ACU was pleased with the progression of the December 5-6 exams, its ninth time monitoring them.
“After observing the examination process, the ACU commended the efforts of the leadership and officials at the education ministry, local authorities, armed forces, health officials and all other stakeholders. They took full responsibility for their duties and respected the principles of the exams,” it said in a statement.
More than 3,000 ACU staff and volunteers observed the exams at the Kingdom’s 221 test centres.
The results of the exams will be announced for Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province on the afternoon of December 27, with results for the rest of the country due the following day.
