One hundred and four candidates for the Lower Secondary Certificate (BEPC) exams were absent yesterday morning across Toliara I school district. The absence rate, relative to the total number of candidates of three thousand seven hundred and three, stands at 2.8% this year. However, this figure is lower compared to last year, when it was 4.50%, according to officials. "There are several reasons that could explain these absences. Candidates decide, at the last moment, simply not to sit for the exams. The second reason is that most candidates are independent candidates rather than enrolled students, and have their personal justifications for not coming," explains Whega Danitsaike, head of Toliara I school district. Several candidates also choose to take exams in other school districts, hoping that admission conditions would be more flexible. Among the seven examination centers in Toliara I school district, two autistic candidates and three deaf candidates were on the candidate list. The fight against corruption and fraud has been strengthened this year, according to officials. "The subjects for Life Sciences and English were changed at the last moment, following a leak reported in Vangaindrano, in the Atsimo-Atsinanana region," the source adds. The youngest candidate in Toliara is eleven years old and the oldest is fifty-three. The latter is taking his exams at Laurent Botokeky High School. Mirana Ihariliva