ADDIS ABABA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The block on mobile internet and social media, which has been attributed to concerns of education exam leaks, has lifted as the national higher education entrance exam finalized on Thursday.
Internet users in Ethiopia have been facing difficultly accessing the web starting from May 31. According to Negeri Lencho, Ethiopian Government Communication Minister, the blockage was in response to concerns that sinister rumors about exam leaks will affect the preparation of students for grade 1o and 12 national exams.
Africa's second most populous country, under a state of emergency for the past 7 months, had faced similar scenarios during last year's edition of the national exam after a leak of examination papers led to the cancellation of the original exam, with another version delivered soon after.
Referring to the previous cancellation of exams nationwide, which cost the Ethiopian government millions of dollars, Lencho asserted that part of the internet blockage is in favor of protecting the east African country's investment on education.
