By Lodu William Odiya
Human right activist has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and technology to recall current scholarship list, and place an immediate halt, to all related processes until a transparent, inclusive, and impartial review is conducted.
This comes following a recent complaint from the student Union about the ICCR selection process which they described it a bias selection.
The activist concern came in after the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology refuted the alleged malpractices in the selection of students for India scholarships
In statement released yesterday, CPA’s Executive Director, Ter Manyang Gatwech, said he is deeply concerned by credible report on the recent Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) ICCR scholarship awarded to some of the students.
“As a human rights activist committed to justice, equality, and transparency in governance, I am deeply concerned by credible reports and public outcry regarding widespread tribalism, nepotism, and favoritism in the recent allocation of scholarships by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in the Republic of South Sudan” The statement noted.
The statement highlighted Education as a fundamental right and a pillar of national development. It must be awarded based on merit, fairness, and equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of ethnic background, political affiliation, or social connections.
“The continued marginalization of deserving students through non-transparent processes not only violates basic human rights but also undermines national unity and public trust in our institutions” Statement emphasized.
He also called he Ministry to establish an independent investigation committee including civil society organizations, academic representatives, and youth leaders to audit the selection process.
The statement underscored publication of a clear selection criteria and ensure equitable representation from all regions and communities of the country while upholding accountability for officials found to have manipulated or politicized the process to Favor individuals based on tribal or personal affiliations.
The statement further stated that the future of South Sudan depends on empowering a generation of students who rise through integrity, not privilege.
“Let us choose fairness over favouritism, unity over division, and justice over exclusion. We demand accountability, transparency, and immediate action” Statement read.
“We are concerned that many highly qualified and deserving applicants were not selected despite meeting or exceeding the stated academic and program criteria” he added.
Meanwhile, a statement made by some concern citizens acknowledge that the scholarship was a very prestigious and generous program offered by the Government of India to support South Sudanese acquire the best education to develop their country.
“We believe that these steps will help restore public trust in the fairness and integrity of the scholarship process and reaffirm the Indian Embassy’s commitment to promoting equal educational opportunity in South Sudan” statement noted.
However, the statement also noted such irregularities not only deny opportunities to deserving students but also tarnish the reputation of the institutions involved in such malpractice and risks undermining the spirit of India-South Sudan bilateral cooperation in the field of education and development.
The statement further recommended the immediate suspension of the current list of selected students circulating on different social media platforms and have a transparent, inclusive, and merit-based re-evaluation of all eligible applicants.