Episcopal Bishop Boosts Girls’ Future Through Education

By Awan Achiek

The Episcopal Bishop of the Awerial Diocese, David Akau Kuol, has brought renewed hope to 513 girls in Awerial County, Lakes State, through the founding of St. Paul Girl Primary School. Established in 2014, the school serves as a beacon of opportunity, helping girls overcome systemic barriers and reach their full potential.

Bishop David Akau Kuol, the founder of St. Paul Girl Primary School, stated that he established the school in 2014 with a donation of $60,000 from a woman in the UK.

The school currently has an enrolment of 513 girls.

“When we built it, it was three classes. So, we started from primary one up to primary four,” Akau told Dawn in an exclusive interview.

Akau said the school aims to promote girls’ education in the county.

“I got a proverb saying that ‘when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.’ So, I was thinking about what can raise the community through educating girls,” Akau said.

“When we educate them, they will bring changes to the community. So, when I became a bishop, I decided to establish this school when I received a little money.”

Akau, who also serves as dean of the Eastern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, noted that the school is currently sponsoring 58 orphans.

“We have about 58. These pupils are unable to pay the school fees because some of them lost their fathers and mothers during the crisis in South Sudan, so they are now orphans,” the bishop stated.

He mentioned that they have successfully raised a significant number of girls, most of whom are now in secondary school across various parts of the country.

“We have raised a very good number of girls who finished primary eight. And now they are in secondary schools,” he said.

“One girl received a scholarship when she finished primary eight at St. Paul Girl Primary School. She was awarded a scholarship to go to Canada, and she is now in Canada.”

“We have seen that there is a good start for our kids. Very positive outcomes. Most of the pupils, parents, and the community are very interested in the future of these girls.”

He stated that they have provided educational opportunities for several girls to achieve their dreams.

“Since we started, we have had a very good number of girls who have joined secondary school. When they finish at St. Paul, some of them are in Juba and others outside the country,” Bishop Kuol said.

He expressed plans to establish a secondary school within the next five years.

“I am planning to establish secondary schools here. When they finish here, they can also join secondary school.”

He mentioned that plans are underway to transform the school into a modern institution with sufficient classrooms and secure fencing to prevent girls from leaving early.

“We need to have a very modern school to promote girls’ and women’s education in Awerial County.”

The prelate expressed concern about overcrowding due to a lack of classrooms and called on well-wishers to help him transform and modernise the school.

“I want to ask any individuals, groups, companies, or partners who can support our girls in Awerial County; this is the future of South Sudan. This is the future of Aliab.”

Few girls in South Sudan complete their full eight years of schooling.

Poverty, insecurity, poor-quality education, and cultural traditions that discriminate against girls conspire to keep them from finishing their education.

A significant number of girls in Awerial County are not in school, despite President Salva Kiir Mayardit declaring free and compulsory education for all children in 2023.

According to UNICEF, more than 2.8 million children, or over 70%, are out of school in South Sudan, jeopardising their futures and the future of the country.

Some of the out-of-school children live in pastoral communities, moving with their cattle, and are unable to attend regular classes.