Ministry urges against price hike during exams

THE Ministry of Tourism on Monday instructed business owners to maintain consistent prices and service quality during this year’s Grade 12 national examination period to ease expenses for candidates, teachers and invigilators.

The Grade 12 examinations are set to be held nationwide on August 19-20. Many candidates, teachers and invigilators will need to travel from provincial areas into cities to attend the examinations at official centres, raising demand for hotels.

The ministry’s guidance said: “Please maintain proper service quality levels to meet the needs [of candidates, teachers and invigilators], despite being a period of high demand.

“Please participate in keeping order and safety for visitors, and prevent incidents that may occur. Do not raise the prices of your services during this time, despite the increased demand.”

Ministry spokesman Tob Sopheak told The Post that the guidance was set to contribute to the smooth operation of the upcoming examination period.

He said students and teachers who spot irregularities in service prices and quality could call on local authorities and the ministry for intervention.

“Business owners may take the opportunity to raise prices excessively for customers. We call on them to please maintain their usual prices,” he said.

Ministr y of Education, Youth and Sport spokesman Ros Soveacha told The Post on Tuesday that the ministr y was ready for the high school examinations.

“The ministry will follow the strictest regulations in place based on the principles of law, justice, transparency and acceptable results.

“We expect that candidates, education staff, invigilators, parents and other relevant parties will take part in ensuring the examination process takes place while maintaining a high standard,” he said.

Former student Chhon Chan Pisey, who took his Grade 12 exams in 2017, said urging businesses not to raise their prices would help poorer students from the provinces.

“It is important as once prices are raised excessively, those who are not wealthy or those in the provinces find it very difficult [to find somewhere to stay].

“Once they come to take the examination, prices will double. There are many expenses once accommodation and food prices are included,” she said.

In this year’s Grade 12 examinations, there will be a total of 202 examination centres, with 117,024 students (60,421 girls) taking the examinations in 4,725 rooms.