Northern Bahr el Ghazal state government has reduced the primary and secondary school leaving examinations fee for candidates in public and private schools.
This is after parents complained about the high fee charges for learners sitting for the national examinations.
Secondary school candidates in public schools were paying 20,000 South Sudanese Pounds, while those in private schools were paying 30,000 ssp.
Those in public primary schools were paying 14,000 ssp and 10,000 ssp for those in private schools.
But the parents say they could not afford the fees required by the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction. Some say they receive less than 5,000 ssp per month working for the government.
“When the State Ministry of Education demands such an amount from parents yet the salaries of some parents are less than that, it not easy,” a parent told Akol Yam FM.
Another parent said: “Most of the people are facing the economic crisis and they can not pay the school requirements, and this sometimes prevent children from sitting for their examinations.”
Santino Bol Akot, the Director General in the State Ministry of General education and Instruction said they have reduced for both public and private schools.
“We don’t want on top of regular registration fees mentioned for private and public schools,” he stated.
The directives will take effect from November 17, 2022.
In reaction, some parents welcomed the decision by the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction.
“As parents, we are facing a lot of challenges in regards to education, but we appreciate the State Ministry of General Education for their positive response to the complaints raised by the parents.”