The ministry of education has announced admission of  more than 5,000 students into the five public universities across the country.

The students applied between 2012 and 2013.

But the Minister of Education, John Gai Yoh, says the process delayed due to financial challenges and the establishment of an electronic admission system.

Gai says more than 3,000 others have not been admitted due to high competition.

He says about 21% of the successful applicants are females.

“5,010 students admitted to bachelor degree and diploma program. That means the total number that was admitted is 3,875 for degree and for diploma was 1,150.” He said.

“…3979 male students were admitted in the bachelor. And diploma program 1,131 female students were admitted,” Mr Gai summed up.

The successful students now have vacancies at the University of Juba, Upper Nile University and the University of Bhar al-Ghazal.

Others will join the University of Rumbek and Dr John Garang University of Science and Technology.

Students who have not been admitted can make an appeal within 15 days, starting on Monday.

The intake of 2014/2015 is yet to be announced.

Welfare funds in public universities

The Ministry says it is introducing a welfare fund this year to help students who have financial challenges join public universities in the country.

Many students in the country are unable to pay university fees, forcing them to discontinue their studies, according to officials.

The deputy Minister of Education, Bol Makueng, says the funds will also cater for the expansion of lecture halls.

“It is going to leave a lot of funding especially financial support for all the universities that would expand their teaching or lecture halls, accommodation for students as well as accommodation for the lectures themselves,” Mr Makueng said.

It is not clear how much money has been allocated to the program.