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Limited computer resources triggers logjam on exam day in Papua
As many as 420 students sitting national exams using a computer-based testing (CBT) system at vocational school SMK Negeri 3 Jayapura on Monday were unable to work on their exams due to limited numbers of computers
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s many as 420 students sitting national exams using a computer-based testing (CBT) system at vocational school SMK Negeri 3 Jayapura on Monday were unable to work on their exams due to limited numbers of computers.
'We only have 160 computers, while the number of students sitting the national exam is 420. So, they had to queue and were divided into three groups. Each group comprised 160 students,' SMK Negeri 3 Jayapura principal Melkianus Mawene said in Jayapura on Monday.
He said apart from the limited number computers, poor internet connection was also an obstacle.
'The school's national exam organizing committee had tried to download exam materials on computers since 7 a.m. local time, but they only connected to the Internet at 8:30 a.m.,' said Mawenen.
He added that a brief blackout of around 13 minutes triggered panic among teachers who were monitoring the exam.
Despite the technical obstacles, Mawenen said the students were, overall, well-prepared, thanks to two trainings on how to take the CBT exam.
Limited numbers of computers also hampered CBT national exams conducted at five other schools in Jayapura on Monday.
'Today's exam was just a try-out and the main obstacle hampering the exam was limited computers. In the future, the Jayapura administration will provide more computers to schools so they can administer the national exams at once,' Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tommy Mano said.
In Papua, 10 schools are holding CBT national exams. They comprise two schools in Biak Numfor regency, two schools in Jayapura regency and six schools in Jayapura City. The total number of students sitting the exams stands at 23,390. (ebf)(++++)
