A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
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. |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |