Officials say a total of 1,224 students are expected to sit the exams in the capital. About 800 students have already arrived in Juba, while 424 others remain stranded in Aweil, facing logistical challenges linked to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The commitment was made by Vice President for the Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, following a meeting with Sudan’s ambassador to South Sudan, Isam Mohammed H. Karar, and the Minister of General Education, Kuyok Abol Kuyok.
“I held a productive meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to South Sudan… to discuss preparations for the upcoming Sudan Secondary School Certificate Examination, which is scheduled to commence on Monday here in Juba,” Abdelbagi said.
The Sudan Secondary School Certificate Examinations are due to begin on Monday and will run until 27 April.
Ambassador Karar urged South Sudanese authorities to facilitate the safe transport of students still in Aweil and ensure adequate security during the examination period.
“We requested the support of the Government of South Sudan to facilitate the safe transportation of these students to Juba,” he said.
In response, Abdelbagi reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating: “As a government, we are committed to supporting these students during this important moment in their academic journey.”
He added that authorities would ensure both safe passage and a secure environment for the candidates.
“I assured the Ambassador that we will work to facilitate the safe movement of the students from Aweil to Juba and provide the necessary security to enable them to sit their examinations in a peaceful and conducive environment,” he said.
The government also said it would coordinate closely with the examinations secretariat under the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to manage logistics and administration.
Education officials say the intervention is aimed at ensuring that Sudanese students displaced by war are not denied the opportunity to complete their secondary education, despite the ongoing crisis in their home country.
