Government to provide ‘free’ primary, secondary education

​Relevant government ministries have been ordered to implement free primary and secondary education policies in South Sudan.

President Salva Kiir on Monday said that the government is taking seriously education matters adding that every institution should ensure that the free education policy in public schools is adhered to.

“All levels of government should ensure that free education policy is adhered to as provided by the law, including free registration of pupils and students”

The ministry of general education and instruction is directed to come up with policies that shall promote and attract free and compulsory primary and secondary education.

The ministry of finance and planning together with development partners were further ordered to avail the necessary funding to the ministry of education to ensure that the policy is executed.

Kiir made the directive through a statement read on the national radio on Monday evening.

The order by the president comes barely a day after Pope Francis called for development in South Sudan during his pilgrimage visit to the e country last week.

Free education is provided for in the constitution though the implementation continues to face challenges due to a lack of adequate infrastructural support.

Last month, the government and parents were at loggerheads on fee structure with the ministry of education calling for slashing of school fees in private schools.

Currently, public schools charge approximately SSP10, 000 per term, per student.