Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information during a cabinet meeting on 10th July 2020. | File Photo/Eye Radio

The Council of Ministers on Friday amended and passed the Students Support Fund Bill 2023 – a week after it was tabled by the Minister of Justice.

The students support fund bill is a law drafted in accordance with the national constitution – to support students from poor families in their academic journey.

Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the bill was amended and approved after a presentation by Justice Minister Rueben Madol Arol.

Makuei said the bill is meant to cater for the needs of students who are vulnerable in the universities and higher institutions of learning.

“That support fund is to provide for their accommodation, feeding, healthcare, sanitation materials and tuition fees and so forth for the disadvantage students. It is for the students who are from vulnerable families and not for everyone,” Makuei told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

“After thorough deliberation on all these, the bill was approved and it was resolved that the bill should be funded in accordance with the national budget of the state.”

He also said the government could raise fund for the students through extra budgets and donations from partners.

On June 9, 2023, the Governance Cluster headed by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar completed the draft Students’ Support Fund Bill (2023).

Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said the bill will enhance students’ welfare in terms of accommodation, research and other academic activities.

In the past years, students in public universities have protested the lack of food, increment of tuition fees, and inadequate accommodation.