Higher Education Ministry to cut university fees, prioritize student support and staff welfare

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology says it will prioritize student support, staff welfare and the reduction of fees charged for university programmes in the 2026-2027 financial year.

The ministry says the measures are intended to ease the financial burden on students and improve the welfare of staff in the higher education sector.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Changkuoth Bichiock Reth, announced the priorities on Tuesday during the ministry’s internal budget defence meeting in Juba.

He directed the ministry’s senior management to prioritize the Students Support Fund, staff welfare and the reduction of what he described as high fees charged for university programmes.

Minister Bichiock said the fees are putting additional pressure on students, while universities are also struggling to cover their operational costs.

He warned that the commercialization of education could discourage young people from pursuing higher education.

The minister said the ministry’s main role is to provide services rather than generate income from students.

“Commercializing education will deter a number of young people from pursuing their academic aspirations,” the minister said.

The internal budget defence follows the submission of the 2026-2027 national budget by the Ministry of Finance to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly last week.

The budget is currently before Parliament for scrutiny and debate before it can be passed into law.

The ministry says the proposed priorities are aimed at making higher education more accessible and addressing welfare concerns within the sector.