Chang’anamuno observed that some clusters located in distant places are punitive and a disadvantage to candidates, a situation she says is likely to affect their performance in national examinations.

She has told Zodiak after monitoring three cluster centres in Balaka two clusters in Machinga and four clusters in Mangochi districts that there is almost a 100% attendance of candidates this year.

"There is still room for improvement as we go and we need to explore ways on how best we do that as we will also involve stakeholders," said Chang'anamuno.

6,465 candidates sat for this year's standard 8 examinations with 3,335 boys and 3,310 girls.