Unity State Students Plead for Help Over Unpaid Fees

(JUBA) – Students sponsored by Greater Pioneer Operating Company and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company face being barred from registration and examinations at the University of Juba due to unpaid tuition fees.

The University of Juba issued a notice stating that it has not yet received payment of tuition fees for the previous academic year for students under these sponsorships.

According to the notice from the School of Law Evening Classes Programme, any student sponsored by Greater Pioneer Operating Company or Sudd Petroleum Operating Company will not be allowed to register for the forthcoming academic year or sit for substitute and supplementary examinations unless the outstanding tuition fees have been fully cleared.

The notice was signed by Athiangbiar Deng Awur Wenyin, Coordinator for Evening Classes Programme at the School of Law.

The sponsored students from the University of Juba have raised their concern to the Government of Unity State regarding the non-payment.

They said the outstanding tuition fees remain unpaid and, as a consequence, they will be denied registration for the forthcoming academic year and barred from sitting substitute and supplementary examinations.

The students said this situation threatens their education, their future aspirations, and the significant investments already made in their academic journey.

Many of the students come from families with limited means and relied on these sponsorships in good faith. They say they now find themselves in uncertainty and distress, facing the possibility of academic interruption through circumstances beyond their control.

The students appealed to the Government of Unity State, under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Joseph Manytuil Wejang, to urgently intervene and engage with the concerned oil companies to fulfil their obligations and settle the outstanding tuition fees. They said supporting education is an investment in the future leadership, peace, and development of Unity State.

The students said they remain hopeful that their cry will be heard and that prompt action will be taken to protect the educational rights and aspirations of the students of Unity State and South Sudan at large. 

No amounts were specified in the notice or the students’ statement.