Oct 26, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s University of Juba students staged a protest at the University entrance citing the unexpected increment in school fees and access restriction to those who haven’t cleared their fees.
The students who had not cleared their tuition fees were prevented from entering the university premises but they responded by blocking the road leading to Hai Thoura before they could proceed to Western Campus where they forced their way into the compound.
“We are out today because there is an unjustified increase in tuition fees. The university of Juba has increased the tuition fees despite when they were decreased in 2019 and this is one,” one of the students told a local tabloid.
The protesting students are blaming the current economic crisis which is threatening to throw the country into another level of poverty.
“The economic crisis is one of the challenges that is facing us. We cannot get cars to come to the University because all the buses are packed because they cannot get fuel from petrol stations and this is why we are here today,” the student added.
The police have moved to the location to disperse the demonstrating students.
Last week, the university issued a circular letter notifying all students that those who would not have paid tuition by October 23rd will not be allowed to enter the university’s compound.
“As from Monday, October 26th 2020, access to the university will be through the display of Students Identity Cards,” the school announced in a statement.
The statement further advised the student to process their cards by Saturday 24th October.
“Any Student who has not processed his or her identity card, as yet, should make sure that they do so by Saturday, October 24th 2020,” stated the school.
Professor John Akec has responded to the demonstrations by suspending all lectures until further notice.
The atmosphere in the area remains tense as students continue to stand with banners in two campuses written in it ”we shall never surrender”.
