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Palestinians Miss Exams
Safia
07/01/02 at 17:10:14
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Amer Khodair spent two days cramming for
his final exam in chemistry, but it was a waste of time. Like
thousands of other high school students trapped by the presence of
Israeli tanks in the West Bank, he missed Thursday's test.

In retaliation for Palestinian suicide bombing attacks, Israel is
holding seven of the eight main West Bank towns and cities — imposing
curfews that have confined residents to their homes and prevented
many students from taking tests.

After giving up on his chemistry test, Khodair, 17, pushed aside his
science books and pulled out ones on religion for an exam scheduled
for Saturday.

"I don't think I will do as well as I expected now. It's been very
stressful lately," he said.

The standardized tests, taken by high school seniors, determine who
will receive high school diplomas and who will be admitted to
universities. Missing the exams can mean a year's delay in completing
or continuing one's education.

More than half of the 29,000 students in the West Bank missed their
tests Thursday because of the curfews and the whole exam schedule
might have to be called off, Palestinian Education Minister Naim Abu
Homos said.

"We'll make the decision (to cancel exams) if the situation gets
worse," Abu Homos said.

Palestinian students in Gaza, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, Jordan
and even those detained in Israeli jails take the same test, at the
same time. They are given a ranking based on how well they scored on
all the tests which determines which degrees they can qualify for.

In the Gaza Strip ( news - web sites), where there are no curfews,
21,000 students were expected to complete the 10 examinations. The
Israeli military has stayed out of Gaza cities and towns,
concentrating on the West Bank, the source of dozens of suicide
bombers who have plagued Israel during 21 months of conflict.

Abu Homos said he'd received thousands of phone calls from frantic
parents since exams began June 17. "This is stressing everyone out,"
he said.

Anticipating problems because of Israeli roadblocks, the ministry set
up 375 examination centers and schools throughout the West Bank and
Gaza where students can take the tests if they can't reach their
schools.

However, the attendance rate at the last three exams was just 50 to
70 percent. Abu Homos said those who missed out would be given
another exam later, although all the students are supposed to take
the same exam at the same time and answer the same questions.

"We have no choice. We cannot tell 10,000 students that because of
the curfew they won't finish high school," he said.


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