The written test which was the first step to shortlist potential and resourceful candidates to take part in the 34th SSEAYP program took place on Sunday 08 July 2007 at Norodom Primary School.

Candidates looked for their names on the board before the exam.

More than 400 candidates came to take the exam. The first-step exam lasted for two hours, starting from 8am to 10am. The exam phenomenon went smoothly and normally under firm supervision of invigilators and observers. Fortunately, this year is another year the Youth Department allows executive committee members and other members of SI Cambodia to take part in monitoring the written exam. 25 of us played the role as observers. In each class, there were 25 candidates. Basically, to observe the general exam process, there was at least one member of SI Cambodia in each class. In total, there were 3 people in charge of each class.

Alumni worked with government officers to get exam go smoothly.

Due to criticism from many people especially students when we had conducted workshops on the SSEAYP Program that there had been cheating cases during the exam, our observers cooperated attentively with invigilators and the Youth Department's steering committee to crack down on the phenomena. That is, before being allowed to enter the class, each candidate’s name was called out for identity check to ensure no one else came to replace them and to ensure that they did not bring any prohibited documents with them. Phone use was prohibited while the exam was in process. Our observers and invigilators were deployed in 3 main areas - in the front, in the middle and at the back. If any irregularities occurred, they would take immediate action. Moreover, a few people including the president of SI Cambodia patrolled to and fro to intervene when unexpected incidents happened. After two hours have passed all the exam sheets were collected, packed and submitted to the steering committee for safety. Basically, even though we could not crackdown on all the prohibited phenomena, we found out that the exam went on very smoothly and fairly.

Candidates during exam.

After fulfilling our roles as observers, we took pictures together in front of a small lovely garden in the school compound. Remarkably, everyone looked happy and tireless even though they had been standing for two hours while observing the exam. That is, they were physically tired but they were not mentally tired. More interestingly, they were pleased to devote their holiday to serve the work as ex-participants who have strong commitment to work for Cambodian youths for a better change.

Alumni took part as invigilators during the writing exam to select new PYs.

August 24, 2007
By Mr. Bun Ying, Ex-CPY05