(JUBA) – The marking of South Sudan’s national secondary school examinations has been completed, with results expected to be released before the end of July, according to the Secretary General of the National Examination Council, Simon Nyok Deng.
Speaking in an interview with media, Mr Nyok attributed the delay in releasing the results to the country’s ongoing liquidity crisis. He explained that the Examination Council has submitted a financial request of 280 million South Sudanese Pounds (approximately 60,870 US Dollars) to the Bank of South Sudan to finalise administrative procedures related to the release.
“We have finished marking, by the way. That is good news I have to tell you,” Nyok said. “The result will be out as soon as possible. We are putting more pressure with all our teams, all the teachers volunteering. I am sure by the end of the month we will release the results. This is my expectation.”
Over 1,000 exam markers are reportedly still unpaid. Mr Nyok expressed confidence that the financial request would be honoured in time to release the results within the expected timeline.
The delay has frustrated many students and their families who have been waiting since December 2024, when over 50,000 candidates sat for the secondary school exams at 319 centres across the country.
Nyok issued an apology to the candidates and their parents, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the extended delay. He also called on government policymakers to consider adjusting examination fees to support future examinations and ensure quicker processing of results.
“We have been talking to policymakers to allow us to check examination fees so that the exam itself can finance itself,” he said. “There are many parents out there now in South Sudan. They want to pay fees so that once the exam is sat for, the results must get out within one or two months.”
He added that the current situation facing the government is the main reason for the delay and reiterated his hope that such issues could be resolved in future through proper reforms and financial planning.
Summary of Key Figures
| Item | Amount (SSP) | Equivalent (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Funding requested for finalisation | 280,000,000 SSP | $60,870 |
| Number of unpaid exam markers | Over 1,000 | — |
| Total candidates (2024 exams) | Over 50,000 | — |
| Number of exam centres | 319 | — |