Algeria, in a move to curb cheating during high school exams, has turned off its internet nationwide.

For an hour after the start of each high school diploma exam, internet services for both mobile and fixed line will go off.

This is set to continue throughout the exam period of 20-25 June.

Last year, the authorities asked internet service providers to stop social media access following widespread cheating on 2016.

However, the volume voluntary measures were not enough.

Speaking to Algerian newspaper Annahar, Education Minister Nouria Benghabrit said that throughout the exam period, Facebook would be blocked across the country.

She admitted that while they weren’t comfortable with the decision, “we should not passively stand in front of such a possible leak”.

Additionally, metal detectors have been setup at the entrances of the country’s 2,000 exam halls and electronic devices with internet access have been banned from the exam halls for both students and staff.

Ms Benghrabit also said surveillance cameras and mobile phone jammers, had been installed at exam printing presses.

Just over 700,000 students will sit the high school certificate examinations over the next week, with results expected from 22 July.

Report by: Clara Doku