Cabinet Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro speaks to the media in Juba. | Photo: FVP Press Unit/Facebook

The Governance Cluster headed by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has completed the draft Students’ Support Fund Bill (2023) to be tabled at the Council of Ministers for approval.

The bill, presented to the cluster by Rueben Madol, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, proposed allocation of an undisclosed percentage from the national budget.

Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said the bill aims to enhance students’ welfare in terms of accommodation and research.

Lomuro – who is also the deputy chair of Economic Cluster – said it will also support students in other academic activities.

“The intention of the Bill is to provide support and promote the welfare of the student in public University and High Institutions in terms of research and accommodation,” Lomuro said on state TV, SSBC on Thursday.

“This is where a student should be assisted on tuition fees, accommodation, and health care. I think this bill will make students happy and is recommended and passed to the Council of the Ministry of approval.”

The meeting chaired by the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon gave its recommendations to the Council of Ministers.

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