Minister Ensures Simultaneous National Exams For SMP

Jakarta, April 22 (Antara) - Minister of Education and Culture Mohammad Nuh has confirmed that that government will simultaneously execute national exams for Junior High School (SMP) in all provinces from April 22-25, 2013 "It is a happy day today for the Ministry of Culture and Education to simultaneously conduct the national exams for SMP, although the ones for Senior High Schools (SMA) last week in 11 provinces were postponed," the minister said here on Monday. Nuh made the statement when inspecting the preparation of national examination at SMPN-30 in North Jakarta. He also asserted that his office has checked the distribution of exam papers in all regions. The minister then appreciated the police and military personnel, as well as officials of culture and education offices in every province who have supported the smooth process of the exams this time. "TNI has made its all out effort with its Hercules planes transporting more than 360 tons of national exams materials to every region and district across the country," Nuh said. "Last night, Vice president, TNI chief, and I checked the distribution of the test material to the farthest areas such as Natuna and Selayar districts ," the minister noted. He added that Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared additional flights to 11 provinces which had a delay in the last state exams. Besides, Nuh explained that government has set up other companies to join in a project of printing of state exam manuscript 2013 which previously was under cooperation with PT Ghalia Indonesia Printing. "I implore that the State Exam is going well and under the best supervision to prevent kind of manipulations such cheating during the exams," he said.