CES private schools dominate rankings, as WES’ Nzara bounces back

Private schools dominated, with 96.6% of their 16,305 candidates passing—far exceeding government schools (88%) and alternative education programs (84.1%).

By Chuol Chanyong and Emmanuel Mandella

Central Equatoria State’s Ministry of Education reported on Tuesday a historic 94.5% pass rate for the 2024/2025 South Sudan Primary Certificate Examinations, marking the highest success rate in four years. A total of 19,942 students out of 21,092 candidates passed, showcasing significant academic progress in the state.

The State’s Minister of General Education, Cirisio Zakaria Lado hailed the achievement as a testament to the dedication of students, teachers, and stakeholders. He commended the private institutions, which accounted for all the top-performing schools and students.  

He emphasized on the need to bolster performance in rural counties and government schools while celebrating the state’s overall progress. With enrollment in private schools rising, the results underscore evolving educational dynamics in Central Equatoria.

Felix Luwala Wani of JCC Hai Negil was the best male student, with 94.7 % while the best female student, Gifty Chandia Remis of JCC model, scored 94.5 %. JCC Model Primary School emerged as the leading school in Central Equatoria at 89.8, followed by Venus Star Academic Primary School, which had 89.1%. JCC Hai Negil came third, with 87.6 %.

Private schools dominated, with 96.6% of their 16,305 candidates passing—far exceeding government schools (88%) and alternative education programs (84.1%). Juba County led regionally, achieving a 95.5% pass rate, while Lainya County followed closely at 91.3%.  

Students excelled in core subjects like Mathematics, English, and Sciences, all scoring above 94%. However, Islamic Religion recorded the lowest pass rate (82.4%), signaling a potential area for improvement.  

Male candidates slightly edged out females (94.7% to 94.4%), a marginal 0.3% gap—a notable shift toward gender equity in education outcomes.  

This year’s results reflect a consistent upward trend, with pass rates climbing from 90.8% in 2021 to 94.5% in 2024.

School bounces back in Western Equatoria

Meanwhile, in Western Equatoria State, Tombura County had a remarkable performance in the Primary 8 examination results, with every registered pupil passing despite the ongoing insecurity in the area, the state minister for General Education and Instructions, Grace Apollo Musa, said.

The county’s performance is part of a broader state-wide achievement that saw Western Equatoria State record a 90.1% pass rate, an improvement from last year’s 86.7%.

Out of 4,435 pupils who sat for the exams across the state, 3,997 passed (1,793 girls and 2,204 boys) while only 368 failed. 77 failed to turn up for the exams. The improvement has been attributed to increased commitment from teachers, students, and parents.

“We have done better than last year. The results show that our teachers have pulled up their belts to give quality lessons, and our parents are now more serious about education,” said State Apollo.

Tombura County, which has witnessed insecurity, was praised after learners from various schools achieved a 100% pass rate.

“This result from Tombura, despite the insecurity, is a testimony to the resilience of our learners and the dedication of our teachers. It proves that education can thrive even in fragile contexts,” the Minister added.

Another striking highlight came from Nzara County. In a stunning turnaround from last year’s performance where no candidate passed the Primary 8 examination, the county’s schools such as ECSS Nzara (58 pupils), St. Timothy’s (53 pupils), and St. Daniel Comboni (45 pupils) all recorded 100% pass rates.

“This year Nzara has shown it is back on track. From zero passes to full passes in multiple schools it’s a story of redemption and hard work,” said James Nyaki, a parent in Nzara Town, beaming with pride.

Top-performing schools in the state included Ezra Baya in Mundri West County with 118 pupils all passing, St. Mary’s in Yambio (105), and Mundri Adventist (85). Other strong performers from Yambio include Gracia Nursery and Primary (84), Alpha and Omega (51), and Bright Star (61), each recording a 100% pass rate.

With 36 schools across Western Equatoria posting impressive scores, the Minister declared this year’s outcome “a milestone worth celebrating,” urging continued support to educators who have shown commitment despite poor pay.