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PRIORITIZE STUDENT SUPPORT FUND BILL GOVERNMENT URGED

Juba, South Sudan: Markaz Al Salam, a prominent youth-led organization dedicated to education and community development, has renewed its call for the Government of South Sudan to urgently prioritize and pass the Student Support Fund Bill, describing it as a critical step toward securing the future of thousands of young people across the country. 

In a detailed statement shared with the media, the organization expressed deep concern over the rising number of students struggling to access quality education due to financial pressures, insecurity, and inadequate learning facilities. Markaz Al Salam noted that many students, especially those from rural areas and displaced communities, continue to drop out of school because they cannot afford tuition fees, transportation, accommodation, or basic learning materials.

The Student Support Fund Bill, currently awaiting further action from policymakers, seeks to establish a national fund that will provide direct financial support to vulnerable learners. The proposed fund includes provisions for scholarships, grants, accommodation allowances, and emergency assistance for students facing hardship.

According to Markaz Al Salam, the bill has the potential to transform the education landscape by ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to learn due to financial limitations. The organization emphasized that supporting the country’s youth is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic investment in South Sudan’s long-term peace, stability, and economic development.

The organization urged members of parliament, relevant ministries, and government agencies to accelerate discussions and move the bill to the implementation stage without further delay. It also called on development partners, civil society groups, student unions, and academic institutions to support the advocacy campaign, stressing that collective action is needed to address the growing crisis in the education sector.

Markaz Al Salam further highlighted that many students currently rely on relatives, community contributions, or temporary humanitarian support to continue their education methods that are often unreliable and insufficient. The Student Support Fund, they argued, would provide a structured, transparent, and long-term solution.

The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to championing youth-centered policies and working closely with stakeholders to ensure that all young people in South Sudan have access to quality education and equal opportunities.