The candidate is required to write a letter to the Minister of Education in his country on the poor state of schools in his area and its effect on the performance of students. Both aspects of the question- 'poor state' and 'effects on performance'- are mandatory, although the second aspect may be dealt with in a couple of sentences. Many candidates devoted more of their composition to the unwillingness of teachers to function effectively than to the lack of vital facilities such as classrooms, libraries and laboratories.