By Ijoo Bosco
Community members in Eastern Equatoria state have expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in the release of results for the South Sudan Secondary School Certificate of Education.
Paska Akello, a mother of two children who sat the exams last year, expressed her frustration at the government’s inaction.
“The delay is crushing the dreams of our children, whom we have invested in for years. Many idle youths have now resorted to joining gangs and terrorising innocent people, all because the government has neglected to keep them occupied in school,” she lamented.
Adelino David Iya, a father of two daughters who also sat the exams, fears the delay may jeopardize their prospects, including the risk of early marriage before they can secure their academic papers.
“The national government must prioritise the interests and future of our youth over personal gain. The silencing of the education system will only lead to a bleak future for South Sudan,” he urged.
Scovia Foni, a senior four student from Torit Day Secondary School, said the delay has obstructed many students from accessing scholarships and job opportunities.
“The delay in results is really affecting us candidates. Some were hoping to secure sponsorships and scholarships, but that’s now in jeopardy,” she said.
Odera James, a student from Magwi Secondary School, expressed his despair, saying the prolonged delay makes him feel like a failure.
“Results used to come much earlier, within two to three months. This seven-month wait is unacceptable and is pushing some of us to consider unpleasant options for survival,” he pleaded.
Emmanuel Baptista, a student from Fr. Saturlino Ohure Secondary School, called for a swift release of the results to allow candidates to prepare for university admissions.
“It’s a challenge for those who failed, as they’ll need to re-sit the upcoming South Sudan Senior Four National Examination,” he said.
The senior four candidates sat their national final examinations in late December 2023, but the results have not been released to date, leaving families and students in a state of limbo and uncertainty.