Obec exams too difficult

Of all the students selected randomly to take tests in 185 education offices nationwide, students at just four met the standard, while those at the remaining 181 performed below par, she said. Kasama did not use the terms "pass" or "fail" when describing the results, nor did she give any details on the criteria used to judge the students' performance.

Kasama said she believed the poor results did not reflect belowpar performance but that the Obec score criteria was probably too high. She said the offices would submit their analyses on why the scores did not meet requirements.

Citing further results in the national test, only first to sixth graders in one area passed the basic literacy test while student in the remaining 184 were unable to read and write.

She said 20 offices that had performed particularly poorly were still lacking directors, who will soon be put in place.