Africa-Press – South-Sudan. JUBA — South Sudan’s Minister of General Education and Instruction, Kuyok Abol Kuyok, on Tuesday called on the Ministry of Finance to expedite disbursement of examination funds to facilitate the timely processing of examination results.
This call came after the marking of primary eight and senior four exams was delayed for several months due to lack of budget.
Speaking during the release of the 2024 Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) on Tuesday, Minister Kuyok said the timely disbursement of examination funds will help address delays in processing exam results.
“I strongly recommend that you pay special attention to the issues that hinder the timely conduct of examinations, such as the lack of vehicles to enhance the transportation of examination papers, the timely release of funds from the Ministry of Finance and Planning to meet government obligations like marking examination papers, and, of course, investment in ICT innovations,” said Kuyok.
Kuyok revealed they are facing challenges in processing the examinations due to lack of funds.
“The country raised funds to finance all examination stages despite the relentless economic challenges. The team at the Secretariat of the National Examinations worked seven days a week to ensure that the examinations were processed and results were made available to the Council, despite the unnecessary delays caused by the difficult economic situation,” he said.
He disclosed that invigilators worked diligently to ensure that every candidate had the opportunity to sit for their examination papers.
He reported that a total of 79,010 candidates were registered for the examinations nationwide, comprising 43,266 males and 35,744 females.
“However, only 77,264 candidates—42,257 males and 35,007 females—attempted the examinations, while the rest were reported absent. The examinations were administered across 1,814 schools, clustered into 522 examination centers.”
“In terms of performance, among the 77,264 candidates who attempted the exams, 73,326 candidates—40,427 males and 32,899 females—passed, resulting in an overall pass rate of 94.9 percent,” he added.
Kuyok revealed that the average performance index had a weighted score of 73.1 percent, noting that 13 candidates, representing the top ten across the country, scored between 450 and 500 marks.
He also disclosed that the highest score was 453 marks, with 24,319 candidates scoring 449 marks. The majority of candidates, 442,368, scored between 300 and 399 marks, while 6,626 candidates scored between 250 and 299 marks, and 3,878 candidates scored between 0 and 249 marks.
The best student is Felix Luwala Wani Yube from JCC Hai Negil Primary School, who obtained 453 marks.
The second-best is Moses Jerry Acire Ocaya from JCC Model Primary School, also with 453 marks, and the third is Ador Moses Akoch Mayuat from River Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Central Equatoria State, who scored 452 marks.
The best female performances are as follows: Number 1 is Gifty Chandia Remis Aluwe from JCC with 451 marks; Number 2 is Sabrini Keji Paulino Francis from JCC Model Primary School, Central Equatoria State, also with 451 marks; and Number 3 is Nyamal Khor Paljor Bakham from Hope B Primary School, Central Equatoria State, with 499 marks.
Kuyok stated that subject performance analysis indicates that mathematics and Islamic Religious Education (IRE) were relatively underperforming subjects in the 2024 CPE exam, while science and Christian Religious Education (CRE) showed the most improvement.
Kuyok noted that JCC Model Primary School in Central Equatoria State is the top school with an average score of 89.1%, followed by Venus Star Academy, Goroyo Campus, Central Equatoria State, with 87.8%, and JCC Hai Negil Primary School, Central Equatoria State, in third place with 87.6%.
William Ater Machiek, the education advisor for the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, remarked that the education system in the country is in an emergency situation, emphasizing the need for improvements to better serve the children.
“Our education is in an emergency situation. During our liberation struggle, we established a strong education system. What we need now is a system that delivers better education and ensures that the majority of our children have access to it,” said Machiek.
The 2024 Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) examination results were compiled from assessments conducted between November 18 and 22, 2024, across 1,814 schools, clustered into 522 examination centers nationwide.
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