1,500 Students to Benefit From Adut Scholarship

(AWEIL) – The first group of students sponsored under the National High School Sponsorship Program for Orphans and Vulnerable Students has arrived on campus and begun their studies.

The students, drawn from Lakes State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, and Western Bahr el Ghazal, are now attending classes at Cornerstones Vision Academy in Marial Bai, Aweil.

The programme was launched by the Senior Presidential Envoy on Special Programmes, Adut Salva Kiir, under the theme “Empowering Futures, Transforming Lives: A Commitment to Education for All.”

It is designed to support disadvantaged learners across South Sudan over the next four years, with a focus on ensuring that children facing difficult circumstances can access and complete secondary education.

The Office of the Senior Presidential Envoy reported on 29th September 2026 that the students have settled on campus and commenced their studies.

Eye Radio reported in April 2026 that the programme is enrolling 1,500 students, including orphans and street children, from all ten states and the three administrative areas .

Radio Tamazuj reported in October 2026 that the students are being placed in schools across the country and that the initiative targets vulnerable students and children of veterans .

One Citizen Daily Newspaper reported in February 2026 that the programme runs from 2026 to 2029 and provides a complete scholarship for the Certificate of Secondary Education .

The programme was originally designed to support 1,300 students but was expanded to 1,500 after Adut pledged scholarships for an additional 200 students during a visit to veterans at the Bilpam headquarters .

Speaking at the launch, Adut said the selection process would be guided by strict accountability measures and transparent criteria to ensure that support reaches the most deserving students .

“We will ensure transparency and accountability in this program. I will personally visit the schools to follow up on the welfare and progress of the children,” she said .

Adut also called on parents and guardians to remain engaged in their children’s education and to visit them at school .

Radio Tamazuj reported in March 2026 that 38 students from Lakes State were selected in the first phase of the programme . The beneficiaries included six girls and 32 boys from eight counties, with priority given to orphans, disadvantaged children, and children of veterans .

Western Equatoria State also sent 39 students to Aweil under the same programme . The beneficiaries, 21 girls and 18 boys, were selected based on academic and social criteria .

The students from Western Equatoria were transported by air because of poor road conditions in the state .