(JUBA) – A senior South Sudanese academic has called on the government to urgently increase investment in the country’s education system following what she described as a troubling decline in student performance in national secondary school examinations.
Professor Julia Aker Duang, former Vice Chancellor of Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, said the poor performance of students in the recently released senior four examination results should serve as a wake up call for policymakers. She stressed that urgent reforms are needed to address the shortage of classrooms, particularly in rural areas, and to ensure teachers receive fair salaries that can keep them in the profession.
“Many schools in rural communities are operating without proper buildings. Some students are still learning under trees, which makes it almost impossible to follow the curriculum during the rainy season,” Professor Duang said. “On top of that, most of our teachers are leaving because of the very low salaries. They are forced to look for better jobs elsewhere. This is damaging the quality of education across the country.”
The National Examination Council confirmed that more than 50,000 candidates registered for the 2024 to 2025 Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations, representing 535 schools across South Sudan. Out of this number, 36,701 students passed, while more than 11,000 failed to secure the required pass mark.
| Examination Year | Total Candidates | Passed | Failed | Schools Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | 50,000+ | 36,701 | 11,000+ | 535 |
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge. With nearly one in four students failing, education specialists warn that without targeted interventions, the country risks producing a generation with limited skills to contribute to national development.
Teachers in South Sudan continue to earn salaries that are far below the regional average in East Africa.
Professor Duang emphasised that improving teacher pay, alongside constructing more classrooms, is critical if South Sudan is to reverse the declining trend in education outcomes. She further noted that the lack of sufficient resources risks widening inequalities between urban and rural schools, where infrastructure and teacher shortages are most severe.
The education sector in South Sudan has long faced challenges including conflict, displacement and inadequate funding. International agencies have repeatedly appealed for more support, warning that the future of the country depends on a generation that is properly educated and prepared for the job market.
