South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
Akuong United Nations Development Organisation (AUNDO) has officially handed over completed school fence projects to the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction, benefiting Riak-Dor and Ater Magai Memorial Secondary Schools in Rumbek Central County.
Nelson Makoi Makur, the State Minister for General Education and Instruction, stated that the funds provided are intended to benefit all government schools across Lakes State.
“Our government is working hand in hand with communities to ensure that public facilities are well protected. Schools must operate in line with the motto of creating learning spaces that are conducive to every child. In this regard, I also propose that Riak-Dor be upgraded to a technical school once the necessary funds are secured,” said Makur during the handover on Monday.
He revealed that funds were also spent on a solar system at Rumbek Senior Secondary School, which will help with the types and printing of their school examinations and other documentation.
Makur thanked the dedicated teachers across the state who deliver quality education to learners for an hour and a half each day without receiving monthly
salaries. He stressed the need for child-centred methods that encourage public speaking through school debates, equal participation, and group discussions among students. Riak-Dor Secondary School was established before 1947, and he called on the community of Lakes to cooperate with education managers.
Mr. Adongthiar Padhil Maker, Executive Director of Rumbek Central County, confirmed his commitment that the Lakes State government and the county administration will maintain the legacy and honour the historical contributions of Riak-Dor Secondary School towards literacy.
He urged the State Ministry of General Education to encourage students to enrol in significant numbers for the next academic year. The policy of free and compulsory education, issued by H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit last year, must be applied at Riak-Dor
Secondary School. He suggested that the management of Rumbek Central County, led by Commissioner Dut Manak Akuot, motivate teachers with small contributions to sustain their efforts in delivering quality education.
The representative of Windle Trust, Mr. Samuel Deng Majur, stated that the capital grant donated by the governments of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands supports the education sector in South Sudan.
He noted that Windle Trust, in Lakes State, consulted with the State Ministry of General Education to spend this money on productive activities like fencing schools, which aligns with the interests of the schools and the community at large.
He advised students not to choose and enrol in any school based solely on its name and encouraged them to be discerning during the validation and enrolment process, ensuring they understand how the government supports its schools.
In her letter read during the inauguration, Nyakueng Marial Ater Anyijong, the founder of Ater Magai Memorial Secondary School, established in 2023, explained that the reason for establishing the school is to implement the vision and mission of the nation’s founder, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, which is to bring education to the people.
She applauded the Lakes State government, under the able leadership of H.E. Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, and all education partners in the state for investing in education, agricultural production, and healthcare once security stabilised in the state.
However, Mr. Peter Mabor Marier, Chairman of the Riak-Dor Secondary School Community, urged the leadership of the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction to provide armed police to oversee the school facilities day and night to protect them from any threats to development and peace, as security is a priority for the state under the government of H.E. Governor Rin Tueny Mabor.
