Examinations for the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) will officially commence on December 1, 2025. It is common knowledge that when examinations are around, candidates become so busy—searching for what has been popularized as machot, a Dinka word for cheating or malpractice. Unfortunately, this misconduct has been ongoing for nearly a decade. What a treacherous practice this is!
Examination malpractice is a corrosive force gnawing at the foundations of educational systems worldwide, and South Sudan is absolutely no exception. The pervasive issue of academic dishonesty acts as an inexorable acid, gradually dissolving the core principles of meritocracy, integrity, and genuine skill acquisition. The title itself—”Eroding the foundation”—serves as a stark reminder of the insidious threat cheating poses to the future of South Sudan.
This article explores the multifaceted ways in which examination malpractice undermines education in South Sudan, dissecting the causes, the catastrophic effects on national development, and the urgent need for robust intervention.
Education is the bedrock upon which any thriving nation is built. It is the engine of progress and the key to socio-economic development. For South Sudan, a nation striving to find its feet after decades of conflict, a functional and credible education system is not merely desirable—it is an existential necessity.
However, the value of education in South Sudan rests squarely on the integrity of its assessment. When these processes are compromised by widespread cheating, the entire value proposition of learning goes out the window. The system begins to produce certificates rather than competent professionals, leading the nation to inadvertently shoot itself in the foot in its quest for sustainable development. A society that tolerates academic fraud is essentially building its house on sand, establishing a structure destined to collapse under the weight of its own inherent instability.
One of the primary indicators of examination malpractice erodes value by fundamentally distorting the concept of merit. The educational arena is meant to be a level playing field, where hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity are rewarded. Examination malpractice, whether through collusion, impersonation, or the leakage of papers, introduces an unfair advantage that completely tips the scales in favor of the dishonest entities. This creates a deeply demoralizing environment for diligent students who play by the rules. When an honest student sees a less capable, but well-connected, peer secure high marks through dubious means, it sends a cynical message: integrity does not pay. This cynicism breeds apathy and discourages genuine effort, further degrading the quality of educational output. It is a classic case of the bad apple spoiling the barrel, as the cynical behavior of a few contaminates the morale and motivation of the many.
The immediate consequences of this eroded value are acutely felt when these “paper-qualified” individuals enter the workforce. South Sudan desperately needs skilled professionals—doctors, engineers, administrators, and educators—who can tackle the nation’s immense challenges. Examination malpractice, however, ensures that many entering these critical fields do so without the requisite knowledge or competence. This is where the gravity of the situation becomes evident: an engineer who cheated through university might build a bridge that collapses, or a doctor who cut corners might misdiagnose a patient with fatal consequences.
These scenarios are not hypothetical; they are real dangers posed by a system that has allowed its integrity to be compromised. The nation, in effect, risks entrusting its future to a generation of individuals who do not have the skills to deliver the goods, often finding themselves utterly at sea when faced with real-world problems.
Furthermore, a culture of malpractice fosters a broader societal acceptance of corruption and dishonesty. The examination hall often serves as a microcosm of the larger society. If students learn early that success can be achieved through shortcuts and illicit means, it sets a dangerous precedent for their future behavior. It normalizes corruption from the grassroots, making it harder to combat systemic dishonesty later in public office or business. This propagates a vicious cycle that makes genuine national transformation difficult to achieve. The value of education, therefore, extends beyond the acquisition of facts; it encompasses character formation and ethical grounding, all of which are nullified by a cheating culture. When an entire generation learns to cut corners, the nation loses its moral compass.
The drivers behind this phenomenon in South Sudan are complex and multifaceted. Intense parental and societal pressure for success, a lack of adequate educational resources and teacher training, and high poverty levels all combine to create incentives for malpractice. When an entire family’s hopes and economic future hinge on a single examination result, the temptation to bend the rules becomes incredibly strong. This points to a systemic failure that requires a systemic solution. Blaming only the students is simply missing the point; the entire ecosystem needs reform. The current educational infrastructure is often so poorly resourced that students feel they have no option but to resort to cheating.
To restore the value of education in South Sudan, decisive and comprehensive action is imperative. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue; ignoring it is akin to fiddling while Rome burns.
There must be stricter enforcement of anti-malpractice, with harsh, public penalties for both students and complicit officials. The fear of being caught must become a stronger deterrent than the desire to cheat. The system needs to draw a line in the sand regarding academic integrity.
Secondly, significant investment in the quality of teaching and infrastructure is needed, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their examinations, thus reducing the incentive to cheat out of fear of failure. Teachers must also be adequately remunerated so they are not tempted to facilitate cheating to make ends meet. Sufficient payments will give enough incentives. Hence, reduce examination malpractice.
Examination malpractice is a deeply destructive force that is steadily eroding the foundation of education in South Sudan. It distorts meritocracy, produces unqualified professionals, and fosters a pervasive culture of corruption that jeopardizes the nation’s development prospects. The integrity of the education system is the backbone of the nation’s future.
Restoring this integrity is not just an academic exercise; it is an urgent national imperative. South Sudan must act now to ensure that the value of its education system is genuine, credible, and capable of producing the competent, ethical leaders and professionals it so desperately needs to build a prosperous and stable future. The nation’s future is literally in the balance, and the time to right the ship is now, before the foundation erodes completely and leaves nothing but dust.
Amaju Ubur Yalamoi Ayani, aka Amaju Joseph Ubur Ayani, is a teacher and political commentator (amajuayani@gmail.com).
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.