South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of General Education and Instruction,Kachuol Mabil Piok, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening education in South Sudan. He highlighted recent progress while also acknowledging the persistent challenges that remain.
Speaking during the closing of a three-day workshop on access to education advocacy on Thursday, Piok said that the ministry is prioritising investments in school infrastructure and resources to improve learning outcomes across the country.
“Our commitment is to ensure that schools are properly equipped and supported. Education remains a top priority for this ministry, and it will continue to feature prominently in our national agenda,” he said.
The Undersecretary noted that progress has already been made in boosting school enrolment and literacy rates, crediting collaboration with donor partners and community leaders.
“Thanks to the support of our partners, we are seeing encouraging results in both enrolment and literacy. However, we also recognise that more work must be done to meet the needs of every child,” Piok added.
He further emphasised the importance of partnerships with the international community and ongoing engagement with the National Assembly to secure increased funding for the education sector.
“We are working closely with the donor community and the legislature to ensure education receives the attention and resources it deserves,” he said.
Authorities have stated that the ministry is determined to build on these gains, with education continuing to serve as a cornerstone for South Sudan’s development.
Meanwhile, Emilie Roy, the representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reiterated the agency’s commitment to championing children’s rights across South Sudan, with a strong focus on education and child well-being.
Roy explained that UNICEF works not only with local ministries but also with the international community to improve access to rights for children.
“UNICEF’s role is to advocate for children’s rights in various areas, including education,” she said. “We collaborate with the international community, and we also provide technical support to ministries so they can enhance access to rights for children in their countries.”
The official stressed that education cannot be separated from other factors that affect children’s lives.
“When we talk about education, we must remember that it does not exist in isolation. For children to learn, schools must be safe, clean, and supportive. Your health and well-being matter just as much as your access to classrooms,” Roy noted.
UNICEF is determined to listen directly to children to shape its interventions.
“We don’t want to assume what is best. We want you to tell us where we should focus our efforts and what issues are most important for your success. Your voices will guide us. We will ensure your messages are amplified and shared widely so that others can join in and take collective action,” Roy added.
However, Lokang Imoya Lujina, the Deputy Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Education in Parliament, emphasised the legislature’s commitment to advocating for quality education, while acknowledging ongoing budgetary challenges.
“For us in Parliament, we are on the front line fighting for your rights and advocating for quality education,” Imoya said. “As the Undersecretary stated, at least for the general education sector, we also need to see an increase in the budget.”
Imoya noted that Parliament has been in session for almost seven months and stressed the importance of community engagement.
“We are here in the community. The agreement so far means that we are part of the public sector, and we are waiting for the budget to stabilise so we can implement the agreed-upon activities,” Imoya said.
However, Imoya acknowledged that obstacles remain. “The primary issue is the release of funds. Even if the budget exists, delays in its release affect the implementation of educational activities,” Imoya explained.
Imoya also highlighted challenges faced by the committee in reaching schools and monitoring progress.
“For us in the general education committee, we are also facing challenges in how to reach you in schools and assess your progress,” Imoya added.
