(JUBA) – The Ministry of General Education and Instruction of South Sudan has issued a ministerial directive abolishing all forms of name changes in national examination certificates for primary and secondary school levels. The move announced on 3 July 2025 by Education Minister Kuyok Abol Kuyok affects the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) and Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE).
The directive issued under Ministerial Order No. 4/2025 is grounded in the authority of the South Sudan National Examinations Council Act 2011 (amended in 2016). It aims to strengthen the credibility, consistency and legal standing of educational records by eliminating any chance for post examination name alterations.
Minister Kuyok, who also chairs the South Sudan National Examinations Council (SSNEC), clarified that the decision takes effect immediately and applies to all future and past certificates. According to the order, even name changes backed by legal documentation such as court declarations will not be accepted for modification in official exam records.
“The National Examinations Council hereby abolishes all processes related to the change, alteration, or replacement of names in the CPE and CSE,” the directive states.
This means that individuals will no longer be able to update or correct their names in certificates issued by the SSNEC, regardless of whether the name change is due to personal, administrative or legal reasons. Students are now strongly advised to register for exams using names they wish to appear permanently on their certificates.
The Ministry stated that the decision serves three main purposes:
| Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Integrity | Ensuring exam documents are authentic and tamper-proof |
| 2. Fraud Prevention | Avoiding cases of altered identities or duplicated records |
| 3. Uniformity | Establishing standard and final recordkeeping procedures |
As part of its implementation plan, the Ministry has directed education officials, including the Undersecretary and Secretary General of the Examinations Council, to immediately enforce the order. They have been instructed to notify State Directors General of Education and County Education Officers across the country.
Public awareness campaigns are expected to follow, to inform students, parents and institutions of the new regulation. The directive also requires administrative teams to finalise any ongoing verification cases and archive all relevant records accordingly.
| Implementation Steps | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Notify State and County education officials | Ministry HQ |
| Public communication of the order | SSNEC Secretariat |
| Stop all future applications for name changes | Examination officers |
| Archive existing records | Examinations Secretariat |
The directive also states that any previous circulars, policies or practices allowing name changes in certificates are now null and void.
This policy change is expected to have a significant impact on students across South Sudan. Exam certificates are critical for employment, scholarship applications and further education both within the country and abroad.
The announcement may also have implications for South Sudanese students abroad or in refugee settlements who often face challenges with consistent documentation. Education stakeholders have been advised to align with the new requirements immediately.
Issued under the seal of the South Sudan National Examinations Council, the order was formally copied to key officials including the Deputy Minister of Education, Undersecretary, and the Secretary General of the Examinations Secretariat.
