Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy is wishing all Year 13 students around the country the very best as they prepare to begin their exams on Monday.

A total of 7,589 students will be sitting for the Year 13 examinations in a total of 161 centres around the country.

In a statement Dr Reddy thanked all the teachers, parents, guardians and stakeholders for the efforts they have put in throughout the year in preparing the students.

The Minister reiterated the importance of the exam as it will determine their entry into higher education and employment opportunities.

There are 650 students in Ba Tavua District, 301 in the Eastern Division,370 in Cakaudrove, 1396 in Lautoka, Nadi, Yasawa, 992 in Macuata Bua,364 in Nadroga Navosa, 240 in Ra,1265 in Nausori and 2011 in Suva which make up the total of 7589 students sitting this examination.

Beqa Yanuca Secondary School in the Suva Education District and Ahmadiya Muslim Secondary School in Macuata are the two schools that will be presenting their candidates in this examination for the first time this year.

The first paper is Chemistry on Monday the 26th of October and the last paper is Physics on the 6th of November.