South Sudan exam results delayed by funding shortage

JUBA – South Sudan’s National Examination Council (NEC) blamed a lack of funds on Wednesday for delaying the release of the 2023 Secondary Education examination results.

NEC Secretary General Simon Nyok, speaking during a press conference in Juba, apologized for the delay, which has affected nearly 46,000 candidates.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the general public, particularly to the 2023 candidates, parents, schools and all stakeholders for the delay in the release of 2023 Secondary Education examination results which has been caused by circumstances beyond NEC’s control,” Nyok said.

The delay, now in its eighth month, has also impacted this year’s registration process, Nyok said.

“The delay happened because the council is unable to obtain the remaining funds to facilitate the final stages of processing the results,” he explained.

The council has been unable to pay investigators for both the 2023 Secondary and Primary Education examinations, Nyok added.

“We do understand the current economic hardship our country is going through and therefore, I would like to kindly urge all the 2023 candidates, parents, stakeholders, and nation at large to be patient as we engage with the National Ministry of Finance and Planning to secure the funding for the above-mentioned purpose,” he said.

Nyok appealed to the finance ministry for 740 million South Sudanese pounds to complete the results processing.

“I still appeal to the new minister of finance and planning, honorable august house members of the education committee to urgently consider the fate of these candidates,” he said.

The delay has already caused missed scholarship and tertiary education opportunities for the 45,666 candidates who sat for the 2023 exams.