South Sudan’s Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations officially commenced on Monday, with thousands of learners sitting for their first papers in examination centers across the country.
The national launch took place at Juba Day Secondary School, where Vice President and Chair of the Service Cluster Josephine Lagu Yanga rang the bell to mark the start of the exams. She encouraged candidates to maintain focus and confidence throughout the examination period.
“These figures reflect the dedication of our teachers, parents, school administrators, and the government’s continued investment in the education sector,” she said. “To our dear candidates, today marks the beginning of the final step in your secondary school journey. You have worked hard, made sacrifices, and shown great determination to reach this stage.”
“I encourage you to approach these exams with confidence, discipline, and integrity. Believe in yourselves—your hard work will speak for you in the examination hall,” Lagu added.
She also urged parents and guardians to continue supporting their children by providing a peaceful environment and guidance during exam days.
For his part, Kuyok Abol Kuyok, the Minister of General Education and Instruction, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the national academic calendar. He issued a strong warning against cheating, stressing that the Ministry will take firm action against any form of malpractice.
“Any form of malpractice will not be tolerated. I want to assure you that it will be dealt with severely during and after the examinations. Individuals and schools involved in such activities will be punished,” he warned. “I therefore advise all candidates, school teachers, and authorities to completely refrain from any form of examination malpractice.”
Meanwhile, Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony called on students to remain calm and confident, urging them to uphold integrity as they sit for their exams.
“We appreciate His Excellency President General Salva Kiir Mayardit and the entire national government for their commitment to education in our state,” he said. “To my dear students, you’ve been given this opportunity. I urge you to stay calm and not to worry. As I always say: don’t panic, and let’s not cheat. I am confident that your teachers have equipped you with the best knowledge to succeed.”
This year, the National Examination Council registered 44,364 candidates from 510 schools. The examinations are being conducted in 349 centers nationwide.
However, the number represents a decline from last year’s 50,004 candidates, with 5,640 fewer students registered in 2024.
Civil society activist Ter Manyang Gatwech said the decline was driven by economic hardship and structural problems in the education sector.
“Many families cannot afford basic school needs, especially for girls who face additional challenges,” he said. He added that the Ministry of Education may also be reluctant to act, noting that President Salva Kiir’s directive on free education has yet to be fully implemented.
Ter urged the government to revive the free education policy and introduce school meals to keep children in class. “The government needs to prioritise free education and encourage all children to attend school,” he said.