Hon. Ayuen: Finance Minister promises timely 2026/27 budget

2026-03-26 - 10:14

The Minister of Finance has promised that the 2026/2027 budget will meet deadlines and provide funding for sectors, including education, according to the Chairperson of the Economic Committee. Hon. Michael Ayuen Johnson made the statement on Wednesday, March 25, during the closing ceremony of the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) program in Juba. Hon. Ayuen stated that Parliament often receives the national budget after spending has already occurred. He noted that this practice undermines the ability of lawmakers to allocate resources based on the needs of citizens. “Our challenge has been that the budget is presented to parliament after it has been spent, and so it made it difficult for us to allocate in accordance with the requirements of the people who are the beneficiaries of services,” Ayuen said. The lawmaker emphasized that delays hinder planning and service delivery, particularly for schools, leaving the education sector underfunded. Following discussions with the Ministry of Finance, Ayuen expressed hope that the upcoming fiscal year will follow the requirements stipulated in the law. “This time around, we have a promise from the Minister of Finance that the budget will come on time as stipulated in the law. And if that happens, we will make sure that the education sector gets what it deserves,” he added. Ayuen noted that a timely budget process would allow Parliament to prioritize key sectors. He stated that improved funding for education would help keep children in school and reduce the financial burden on parents struggling with costs. According to the Economic Committee Chairperson, these reforms will contribute to better service delivery and improved outcomes for communities across the country.