Varsities Oppose Mass Closures
The South Sudan Association of Private Universities (SSAPU) has strongly opposed the decision by the South Sudanese Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to shut down 22 private universities and colleges in the country. 16 May 2012 South Sudan Association of Private Universities (SSAPU) chairman Reuben Ladu (right) and the Vice Chancellor of the New Generation University, Juba Campus Rev. Apollo Fred addressing the press in Juba. [Gurtong/ Waakhe Simon Wudu] By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 16 May 2012 [Gurtong] - SSAPU said the decision was not objective as the findings of a Ministerial Committee’s report on higher education do not show evidence that some students do not possess secondary school certificates that qualify them for higher education. Additionally, SSAPU said the report does not show that some of the staffs are not qualified. It described the decision as “biased and defaming”. “The universities have not been served with the assessment report to warrant the closures. SSAPU would like the Minister to declare the results of any university assessed. We strongly feel that the Minister’s decision has a hidden agenda”, said SSAPU chairperson Reuben Ladu. The association has urged the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to address the issue, saying they were not consulted before the decision was arrived at. “We demand that the universities be given three years to adjust in case of irregularities and inadequacies. We also request that a meeting be convened between the universities’ administrators, the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Council of Ministers to review the resolution”, he said. Last week the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba ordered the closure of 22 private universities and colleges operating in the country due to what it termed “unfulfilled requirements that higher institutions of learning should meet”. The Minister has been summoned to appear before the National Council of Ministers this Friday to explain the decision. There are at least 34 private universities and colleges in South Sudan. According to SSAPU, at least 3,000 students have been enrolled in to these campuses with at least 1,000 staffs employed. Posted in: Home, Education -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
