27/08/2025
Parents in Twic protest high Primary eight exam fees
PLE candidates at St. Joseph Catholic Primary School | Credit | Joseph Ngor/TRC
Parents in Twic County, Warrap State, have protested the high costs of primary eight national examination fees, which range from 120,000 to 150,000 SSP, depending on the school.
Mathiang Nyuol Riak, a parent of six candidates, described the fees as “disheartening” and called on the government to reduce them to 40,000 SSP to ease the financial burden on families.
“Eighty thousand is big to pay, so we need it to be reduced to 40,000 SSP at least, for us to try. Our community is facing many challenges, including lack of jobs and food, and some even sleep on just water. This is our concern as citizens, and we appeal to the government because we cannot afford 120,000 SSP. Otherwise, our children will not sit for the national examination this academic year,” Riak said.
Riak said Two of his children attend Majak-Aher Primary School, a government school, while four are in St. Joseph Private School with both schools demanding the same fees.
Another parent, Madut Nyuol Ring from Mangok Amuol Boma, emphasized similar challenges.
“We are going to face many challenges this year on payment of national examination fees as majority of people take responsibility of many candidates ranging from five to six candidate which become difficult for us to pay them at once,” Ring stated.
Deng Deng Baak, a parent of candidates at Majak Ajak, reported that private schools were demanding 150,000 SSP, an amount he cannot afford due to economic hardship.
“This need to be reported to our government to reduce them and am parent of two candidate, but I wish anyone who will be capable to pay them as for me it will not be easy,” Deng lamented.
Majak Aher Deputy Headteacher for Academic Affairs, Tong Marieng, confirmed that primary eight candidates in his school were required to pay 100,000 SSP, following a directive from the Payam Education Office.
“The amount of money required from every candidate in Majak Aher is 100,000SSP while in the first place, I was told that learners need to pay 80,000SSP but later they inform us that there is increase after they received circular on amount been increase,” Tong explained.
Twic County Director of Education, John Kongor Thou, clarified that primary eight candidates in government schools are required to pay 80,000 SSP for exam fees plus 20,000 SSP for the candidate ID, while those in private schools must pay 120,000 SSP for exam fees and 30,000 SSP for the candidate ID.
He emphasized that these amounts are policy and apply to all candidates.
Parents, however, continue to urge the government to consider the economic hardships faced by local communities and reduce the fees to a more affordable level.
Source: Mayardit FM
