Simon Nyok Deng, the Secretary General of the South Sudan National Examination Council during press briefing on Tuesday - Octo. 18, 2022 - Charles Wote/Eye Radio

The South Sudan National Examinations Council has issued fresh registration guidelines for primary and secondary school candidates who are set to sit for exams this academic year.

According to the council, candidates intending to sit for the national examination must register between 17^th October to 17^th November or otherwise will not be considered.

In a circular issued on the 14^th of this month, the council said senior four candidates in public schools shall pay mandatory registration fees of 7,000 pounds while those in private schools shall pay 10,000 pounds.

It adds that successful secondary school candidates shall pay a certificate fee of 5000 pounds.

While primary eight candidates will pay a registration fee of 5000 pounds for those in public schools and community girls’ schools.

And those in private schools, shall pay 7000 pounds to be registered and 4000 pounds to obtain a certificate.

Simon Nyok Deng, the Secretary General of the South Sudan National Examination Council pointed out during a press conference in Juba on Tuesday that institutions such as Prison Service will be exempted from the payment.

“The fees we used to charge those days, there are families that could not raise that money, but this is the law, this is what is required, and it has to be committed,” Nyok said.

“There are cases like prisons where the council can waive fees. So, there are issues that can be addressed but those issues must come from the field so that we address them when we move on,

“I have to say right now here that those vulnerable institutions such as prisons that offer education will not be charged,

“The rest [institution] must respect the law and we have to pay the fees because this will enhance even the timeliness of conducting exams.”

Other requirements include any school with fewer than 11 candidates shall register in a nearby school while schools with between 11 to 20 candidates shall be hosted by another nearby center.

According to the South Sudan National Examination Council, the Ministry of General Education will conduct the national examinations for primary eight and senior candidates early next year.