Ethiopia blocks 'distracting' social media during exams

stacey

July 12, 2016 2:45 PM

According to a government spokesperson, the ban will last until Wednesday; while students sit for exams that allow them to attend universities in the country. It is also to prevent students from being ‘distracted’ during the period.

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The government of Ethiopia has blocked social media networks in the country in an attempt to keep students on track while undertaking exams.

According to a government spokesperson, the ban will last until Wednesday; while students sit for exams that allow them to attend universities in the country.

In May, university entrance exams were cancelled after pictures of the test circulated on social media.

This ban is a "a temporary measure until Wednesday. Social media have proven to be a distraction for students" - Getachew Reda, a government official told AFP.

The blocked sites include Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; which are hugely popular among the youth.

In June, Algeria blocked access to social media to prevent the leakage of exams for final year students in secondary schools.

Students have had to retake the country’s equivalent of WASSCE after the questions were initially leaked on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Ethiopia regularly imposes restrictions online to prevent opposition elements from disseminating information.

Ghana has experienced similar situations at both the junior and senior high school levels. Earlier this year, four papers including Social Studies and Integrated Science were leaked online, during the senior high school exams, hours before they were due to be taken. Platforms including WhatsApp have been major contributors to the menace.

Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Council declared that restricting access to the internet was a violation of human rights.

“...[The council] condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online in violation of international human rights law and calls on all States to refrain from and cease such measures.”

stacey