SOUTH SUDAN: 40 New Public Schools To Be Established In Jonglei State To Improve Access To Education

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan

In a significant move to enhance access to education in South Sudan, the authorities in Jonglei State have announced plans to establish 40 new public secondary schools.

This initiative, aimed at improving educational opportunities, will provide thousands of students across the state with the chance to continue their secondary education.

The new schools will be spread across the nine counties of Jonglei State, with the schools set to start enrolling students in February.

The announcement was made by Jonglei State Minister of General Education and Instruction, Gordon Koang Bar, who explained that this initiative was part of a broader effort to make education more accessible, especially in rural and remote areas.

According to Minister Koang, the decision to open the new schools was driven by the public’s demand for more educational services.

He pointed out that some counties in the state only had a limited number of secondary schools, with some counties offering as few as two secondary schools.

This scarcity prompted the state government to take action and ensure that students have better opportunities for further education.

In his statements, Koang also told African Culture TV, the significant challenges faced by children in remote areas who have to travel long distances to access secondary education.

The new schools aim to bridge this gap by providing educational facilities closer to these communities.

Despite the optimism surrounding the announcement, questions remain about the logistics of such a large-scale project.

The recruitment of qualified teachers, infrastructure development, and resource allocation are all vital factors that will determine the success of this initiative.

The education system in South Sudan has long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, insufficient materials, and teacher shortages, so addressing these challenges will be essential.

Nonetheless, the establishment of these 40 new schools is seen as a step forward in improving education in Jonglei State and South Sudan as a whole.

The move is expected to open up new pathways for students to pursue higher education and better career opportunities in the future.