Five (5) students from a remote primary school in the Gumine District, Simbu Province are among the 137,769 Grade 8 students around the country sitting their final examinations this week. Nondri Primary School is one of the most remote schools in the Gumine District quietly sitting its final examinations as the 5 students sit day three of the exams which is General Skills today and will conclude with the rest of the grade 8's tomorrow with the last paper, English paper 2. Gumine school inspector, Michael Sipa said over 300 plus grade eight students from 24 primary schools in the Gumine District are among students sitting the examination, with Nondri Primary School having its 5 students; two females and three males also go through this week. Mr Sipa also visited the schools earlier this week urging the students and the invigilators to stay safe from Covid-19 during the exam week. He said all schools in the district have reported no hiccups except for Omkolai Primary which reported one sick student who will not sit for the examinations. Meanwhile 53 grade eight students of Dirima Primary School also in Gumine District, also joined the rest of their colleagues around the country starting on Monday. Head-teacher Mr Jack Gena in welcoming the invigilators, Mrs Pauline Ninkama and Mr Elias Ule to supervise the students said the students have come through many challenges over the past seven years to the day they sit for their examinations. Mr Gena said recently the students have been disturbed with the Covid-19 pandemic and acknowledged them for their perseverance in attending classes through to the time of the week of their examinations. He said the Corona virus is here to stay and after their examinations the students must remain vigilant in preventing transmissions to families and community in Dirima. Dirima Catholic parish priest, Fr. Peter Kim after the blessing of the examination papers on Sunday also supplied face masks, originally donated by his friends in South Korea of close to 10, 000, to the students to wear, while sitting for their exams. Picture sourced: devpolicy.com