President Salva Kiir, 2026|Courtesy

President Salva Kiir has relieved Madut Biar Yel as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology and removed Hon. Amer Madol Majak as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Museums and Heritage in a series of republican decrees read on SSBC on Monday evening.

President Kiir appointed Changkuoth Bichiock Reth as the new Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, while Julia Ater Wantok was named the new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Museums and Heritage.

Madut Biar Yel has been reassigned as Presidential Envoy to the Great Lakes Region in a separate decree.

Biar’s removal comes more than a week after his remarks on the performance of South Sudanese students on government scholarships sparked debate over the country’s education system.

The former minister told Parliament that some students studying abroad were performing below expectations despite obtaining high marks in national examinations.

He cited reports from institutions in countries including Ethiopia and Morocco, where some scholarship recipients, particularly those in science-related fields, were reportedly struggling academically.

His comments triggered discussions among education stakeholders, with some blaming weaknesses in the education system, student support services and scholarship management rather than students alone.

Meanwhile, Amer Madol Majak’s removal follows controversy over remarks she made regarding government financial procedures.

Amer raised concerns about alleged preferential payment arrangements within government, including claims that some payments were being handled through special channels linked to the Office of the President.

The Ministry of Finance and Planning later disputed the claims, while the Ministry of Culture, Museums and Heritage distanced itself from the statements.

In another decree, President Kiir established a Committee on the Cessation of Non-Statutory Exemptions, comprising several government ministers. The committee will oversee measures aimed at ending non-statutory exemptions in line with government policy directives.