Police in South Sudan have arrested six students on charges of allegedly forging bank payment receipts while attempting to pay their tuition fees. According to Maj. Gen Daniel Justice, the South Sudan police spokesperson, the students have been identified but their names have not been disclosed to the public pending further investigation. The University had put pressure on the students to clear their tuition fees, which is a prerequisite for attending classes and sitting for exams.
This incident occurred after the University publicly announced an increase in tuition fees, sparking tensions in the country. Despite opposition to the policy, Vice Chancellor Prof John Akic insisted that the plan be implemented to fund the University’s infrastructure. He also stated that the University was not intended for poorer people but for the rich.
Juba University is the only government public institution in South Sudan, and many people aspire to study there. It was established in 1975 and was initially administered by the British government during its occupation of Sudan. After South Sudan gained independence in 2011, the University was relocated from Khartoum to its current location.
