The Students’ Union at the Juba University has welcomed the cancellation of a decision to increase tuition fee.

President Salva Kiir announced the cancellation of tuition fee increment at all public universities in the country.

This came after several students protested the move.

The union’s leader, Aboba Eveline, says retaining the previous fee structure will enable most of the students to continue with their learning.

“Our President has made it easy for all the South Sudanese who are ready to pay for education, and therefore congratulation to our president,” said a smiley Eveline.

In early October, Eye Radio reported that the University would increase the fees this academic year.

A student would pay 5,000 pounds per semester. With the increment proposed by the university, such a student would be paying 15,000 pounds, a 300% increase.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba had said the increment was necessary in sustaining the activities of the university

Professor John Akech told Eye Radio if the increment was not implemented, the institution may have to stop operations.

“Whatever tuition fee we collect from students, we use it to provide services to operate the university because that is the main thing we depend on,” Prof Akech argued.

That announcement provoked anger amongst students, with some arguing that the decision did not comply with the structure set by the Higher Education Council.