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View Esther Daniel’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. Esther’s education is listed on their profile. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Esther’s connections and jobs at similar companies. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. Ngoi Thuech is a South Sudanese blogger that works and lives in Dodoma, Tanzania. He is a graduate of the University of Dar es Salaam. He blogs on a host of South Sudanese issues ranging from politics to culture on www.ngoithuech.blogspot.com. He can be reached at mawangrieth@outlook.com.
Gone are the days when it took an average of 7 years for a student to complete a 4-year degree, and 9 years to earn a 6-year medical degree at the University of Juba. However, the events of yesterday make me think that we are not out of wood yet. For those who do not remember their history are condemned to repeat the past mistakes.
Over the last 6 years, we at the University of Juba made progress at many fronts. At the top of gains is academic stability. And it would be dishonest to think that this progress was plain salining and cost-free enterprise. Far from it. The current administration faced countless conflicts that include but not limited to conflicts with staff association, with Ministry of Higher Education and, to a lesser extent, with students. The fiercest was the most recent protest by the first year students of Engineering who were barred from exams for none payment of their outstanding tuition fees. The protest led to disruption of exams and destruction of property. Many students think higher education is a right and should be free. The administration thinks otherwise – student should make a contribution to their education. It is an investment worth sacrificing for. Conflict is inherent in all human relations. Managed badly, it holds back and destroys communities. Managed well, it is a cause for progress. Any change is bound to trigger conflict. Humans adore constancy and the status quo. Progress adores change and stalks conflict.
For the first time at the University of Juba we decided to bar students who have not cleared their tuition fees from exams to maximise pressure. In the past we noted that once students leave for long breaks, the University faces serious cash flow problems such as inability to carry out vital maintenance work of lecture halls and hostels and other utilities during holiday period. That is why we made the decision to have most if not all the fees before students leave the campus. Looking back, it was a great idea with mixed results, some success, and ample lessons to learn from. We got most of them to clear their fees. But also paid a heavy cost in form of destruction of property and bad press. No regrets.
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In their delibrations on 22 January 2020, the Deans conidered other options for effective tuition fee collection that were never tried before, beginning with the new academic year 2020/2021.
First, in order to make it easier and quicker for students to pay their fees, they will have the option of paying through mobile money (mGrush). All they need is a Zain number and mGrush account that can be set up quickly at no cost to them. They can pay at any mGrush agent as they do when they buy a telephone calling credit.
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Second, all students will have two options: to pay two installements of tuition fees, or pay all the fees at the begining of the academic year. Those who pay all their fees will be issued with a green ID card valid for full academic year. Those who pay only half of the fees, will be issued with a yellow ID card valid only for one semester. The yellow card cannot be used to access the campus in second semester. So students will be advised to clear their outstanding balances in order to access our facilities in the second semester and be issued a green ID card. Access to the campus will be tightly controlled.
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For those who would like to get education free while their colleagues pay for operating cost of their education, it will be tough luck.
It will be goodbye to current “flexible” payment system with all the trouble it entails.