PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hang Chuon Naron, remarked that this year's high school diploma candidates have had more time to study and prepare for the Baccalaureate exam, compared to the past few years, because the Ministry was able to fully open schools early this year.

Minister Hang Chuon Naron observed that this year's students have worked hard to learn at school and he hopes that more students this year will pass the high school exams with good grades.

"When students have more opportunities to learn and work hard, they can get better results," he said.

He pointed out that students had one month to prepare for the exams because they were postponed by the Ministry to facilitate the organization of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

Minister Hang Chuon Naron added that the Ministry of Education strongly adheres to the principles of law, justice, transparency, and acceptable results.

On the morning of the first day of the exams on Monday, 5 December, there were 2,264 absent candidates, of which 1,004 were girls, 17 cited having health problems, including one who tested positive for Covid-19. There were a total of 128,135 candidates, of which 68,771 were girls.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Ros Sovacha, confirmed that during the first morning of the exams, some candidates experienced minor health problems, such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. However, he said that these candidates were all still able to take their exams normally after receiving first aid from doctors stationed at the examination centers.

The Spokesperson also confirmed to EAC News that the Baccalaureate exam process on Monday morning went smoothly with good security and order, and with all candidates and stakeholders adhering to regulations as planned, under close cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions.

"On the morning of the first day, there were no significant irregularities," he said.

The Baccalaureate exam results will be announced on the afternoon of 27 December 2022 for candidates in Phnom Penh and Kandal. The Ministry will announce the results for students from other provinces on the morning of 28 December 2022.