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Five disabled pupils receives wheelchairs

Five disabled’s primary school pupils received wheelchairs from Help Education South Sudan on Wednesday in Mingkaman, Awerial County.

The pupils are among the first group of sixty-six children with different disabilities that need support to access learning institutions in the state. 

Mr. Moses Makuac Ajot is the Education Coordinator and works for Help Education South Sudan in Awerial County. 

He said the wheelchairs would aid their effort to promote inclusive education for all pupils in Awerial. 

He said the five pupils include three boys and two girls to have primary education like any other healthy child.

One of the pupils who received wheelchairs, Mr. Ding Deng, spokes to Mingkaman 100 FM.  He said the donation would ease his movement from home to school on time. 

He said that one of the challenges he faces is mobility from home to school during the rainy season. “I am thankful for the donation; the wheelchair will change my life in terms of mobility,” said Deng.

He stated that he used to be absent from school due to mud or water on the road and could not make it to school.

Last week over fifty teachers received training on inclusive education to treat disabled and girls equally without segregation in the classrooms. 

 

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Juba Parents’ School boost students’ protection against COVID-19

A private school known as Juba Parent Nursery and Primary has introduced new policy of giving out 1500 pieces of face masks to its learners every day.

The use of face masks is one of the critical compulsory action school’s administration has put in place for the safety of pupils in classrooms during the pandemic.

Juba Parents’ School is a day care private institution hosting at least 1,000 learners, both in nursery and primary classes. They all wear face masks the school provides upon their arrival every morning.

The school headteacher says pupils have been directed to regular handwashing at the two containers stationed around the school compound.

Juba parent school is a Nursery and Primary School located in Juba three Yei Road, offers a well-blended local and international curriculum.

Conducting an interview on Wednesday with School headteacher Christian Kisitu says the school’s challenges are the high cost of face masks.

He urged the national health ministry and international partners to support the children by providing masks to reduce the charges.

“The school is taking care of the children there is the provision of the mask to all the children daily, hand sanitizers, children, are sanitizing from the school gate.

Jackeline Kereke, a primary two student in that school. She says the move is welcome that help the parents economically and ensure safety of their children is grantee. Kereke also advises the parents to implement covid-19 preventive measures at home.

“The children are given good care, and the school also provides them with bottles for drinking water.”

The National minister of general education and Instruction, Hon. Awut Deng Achuil directed learning institutions to implement health measures as the state continued to monitor the school’s operation closely.

South Sudan announced the reopening of higher education, secondary and primary schools’ country-wide in the national capital Juba in March this year. 

On Thursday country recorded fifteen new COVID-19 despite the ongoing vaccination campaign.

 

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NBGs recruit Eighty-five teachers, promotes hundreds others

Northern Bahr El Gazal state has recruited teachers to tackle the lack of instructors.

Some appointed staff has been working as volunteers for years, teaching various primary and secondary students.

The state’s Ministry of Education says the move addresses challenges facing learning institutions and promotes quality learning.

Santino Bol Akot is Director-General of the state ministry education NBG.

He said eighty-five new appointees were graduated from Maper National teachers training institute last year. 

The state government also promoted one hundred teachers from lower grades to 10, 8, and 7, respectively.

The State pledge to pay teacher salaries from the locally generated revenue collection.

“State ministry education will be a response on 85 new recruited teachers which include in the payroll. They will get salary effect from the current date of their employment. We also have a hundred teachers promoted that will get their pay from the national government. All this process was done to improve the education at public schools,” Bol said.

Civil Servant in South Sudan has been facing salary delay which becomes a concern to keep them on the job.

The Education Director said salary delay is a countrywide problem that shouldn’t worry the individual.

Some new teachers who spoke to Akol Yam 91.0 celebrated their appointment, saying they worked as volunteers without salary for years.

Teachers hope there being on government payroll will encourage them to concentrate on teaching.

“We are holding two certificates secondary and teachers training certificated for two years without proper employment, but right now we knew ministry had recognized our qualification.

“We shall work closely with ministry education to promote quality education because get salary is encouraged to do batter jobs. When most of the teachers are not pay, they don’t come to schools regularly.”

“Administration will be designed schools’ attendance to guild all teachers on their arrived and departure times. After the ministry resolves lower pay and voluntarily works through recruits and promotion, we request them to work on the delayed salary while teachers are doing fieldwork that needs monthly cash,” Teachers narrated.

A teacher in South Sudan earns between 1,600 – 2,000 Pounds -about $10 -every month.

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A third year University’s student kills in Agok

Authority in Agok says a University has died of injuries allegedly inflicted by a person believed to have a mental problem.

Police reported the deceased name Ajak Malok Kou, age 25, from Nyin Ayuel Deng village, and his younger were attacked in their uncle’s house with a stick. The suspect is arrested.

The incident happened on 19 August at Mabony village in the Agok area of Abyei.

Anyiel Agon Arop is the director of police in Agok. He says three brothers were attacked by a person who is believed to have a mental problem. But has no history of violent behavior.

According to the police, the youngest was unharmed and is in good spirits but is emotionally traumatized.

Arop said they came to the scene, and the two were immediately rushed to the hospital, but one

succumbed to the injuries, and others remain in critical condition in Agok.

The deceased Ajak Malok Kou is a third-year student studying medicine at Juba University and went to the village to sell one bull to buy his school clothes.

His two younger brothers accompanied the late.

The incident shocked many people in Turalei and Wunrok, where he was held from, and his remain was brought to the county HQ before being taken to his village in Wunrok payam for his final resting place.

Some of those who saw the body, including Twic county’s commissioner, no one could say a word because they were so terrified and in emotional pain.

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Schoolgirls win the scholarship to study in Wau

Northern Bahr El Ghazal state ministry of education has announced to sponsor seventy-five girls pursuing their secondary school.

The winners are selected students who completed primary eight examinations in 2019.

Education officials said the girls awarded with scholarships were from remote areas lacking secondary schools across the state.

Gabriel Ater Ather is the Director of quality assurance and standards in NBGs ministry of education. He said selected female students will study at Alel Chok Boarding school in Wau.

” Our state is lucky to have benefited from the Adolescent Girls Education in Crisis Initiative. Seventy-five girls have been identified. We have been informed that they are needed next week so that they can be transported to Wau. The scholarship will cover their secondary school education until completion,” Ater said.

The scholarship is part of the National Ministry of Education effort with its partners NGOs through Adolescent Girls Education in Crisis initiative, (AGENCI)

William Aguer is the program focal point for AGENCI project in Aweil. He said the girls would be transported to Wau next week.

“Yes, we have indeed taken seventy-five girls across NBGs to be sponsored at Alel Chok Secondary school in Wau. Their education costs will be covered. This is a program that aims at encouraging girls in remote areas. We are not yet sure if we shall sponsor other children for now.”

South Sudanese women and girls are less likely to complete primary and secondary education than boys. According to the World Bank, it is estimated that seven girls per ten boys attend primary school.

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Schools celebrates National Girl Child’s Day in Aweil

Hundreds of schoolgirls in NBG state have turned out at Aweil National Secondary school to mark the national girl child education day with calls to end early and force marriages.

According to the state ministry of Education, the day is celebrated every 7the of July in South Sudan but was reportedly delayed due to Independence Day preparation.

Valentino Achak Deng is the Minister of Education in the NBGs Government.

He said late Dr. John Garang Mabior declared the day to encourage the enrollment of girls to the schools in South Sudan.

Hoh: Achak stressed the need to end challenges facing enrollment in schools to complete their Education.

“It’s a right time for each of us to commit to educating children and mainly the girls who are left behind in Education. Enrolling girls to schools have been observed but retaining them at schools to continue their studies is now the challenge. Other schools lack teachers, and girls in those areas find it difficult to continue with Education. It’s a collective responsibility to promote girl-child education,” Achak said.

The Minister further urged parents to supports girls in Education with the hope of having a better future.

Some of the schoolgirls who spoke to Akol Yam 91 in Aweil said lack of moral and financial support is the major challenge facing the girls to complete their studies.

They said that inability to afford basic needs forces some girls to abandon schools and opt for marriage.

“Girls always have a lot of needs where some parents support while others don’t. That lead to our colleagues is dropping out of school.”

“There is no moral advice that encourages girls to continue instead; some parents always talk to you about marriage plans, which is also another challenge.”

“We although thank the teachers they are doing the roles of teachers and parents; they always encourage us to continue without studies for better future.”

Education Minister also urges the parents to send girls to schools at a young age to avoid being distracted from learning.

On 7 July 2015, National Girl Education Day in South Sudan, the combined enrolment at primary and secondary schools broke the 1M barrier for the first time, of which 417,116 were girls.

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Certificate of Primary Education’s Exam Results releases

The National Examination Council (NEC) has announced the Primary Certificate of Education result with 89.9 percent pass the exam.

Ministry of General Education and Instructions released the result this afternoon, Friday 2nd July. 

Unity State ranked in the top performance with 77.92 marked scored, follow by Jonglei State.

 The Minister of General Education, Martin Toko Moyi read out the result during a press conference in Juba.  

He said the overall performance of candidates in the 2020 certificate of Primary Education Examination is 89.9% compared to 87.9 percent in 2019.

Male candidates outperformed with 91.5 % compared to their female colleagues, who got 89.9 passed.

Private schools lead in the performance this year. Ms. Noami Nyiel Deng from St Andrew, Primary school, scored 457, the higher mark of the examination result. She was also the best top ten female candidates.

The top twenty best schools in the 2020 Certificate of Primary Education include JCC Hai Negil Ps, 88.42%, Kings Academy, 87.83%, and St Andrew with 87.31%. The NEC said the private school still dominates the best performance in the country.

The Council observed that the number of absenteeism in 2020 has reduced compare to the previous year. It attributed this to relative peace in the country. 

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Students protest demand reopening of Dr. John Garang University

The students from Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology in Bor Jonglei State have staged a peaceful demonstration demanding the reopening of higher learning institutions.

The protesters blocked the road to the University while carrying posters indicated; Covid-19 is no more and urged the administration to start lectures.

Dr. John Garang University was shut down during the country’s total lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. It was never reopened despite the lifted restriction.

One of the students Agol Panchol, said they call off the strike until the administration reopens within five days.

 “It is coming two years now without lectures. Other public universities like the University of Juba and Upper Nile are operational why only John Garang University is affected by COVID-19 until this time. 

“We are tired of waiting. We are not doing anything for ourselves because we always promised that University would reopen soon. This confines us in Bor without going anywhere to do any other business. We hope to finish so that we get a job and do other things for our families.”

The University Dean of Students affair Prof. Majok Kelei said the administration would brief students over the cause of delay to resume lectures. 

He claimed that students had ended their peaceful protest stage on roads to allow traffic flow.

“My students have abandoned the road as we talk now. I am in front of them. It is no longer on the road. It was a kind of peaceful demonstration, not violent and we are in position to sort it out.”

Dr. John Garang Memorial University of the science board of deans wrote a letter on 3rd June assuring the students that the University would reopen when the contractor supplied food.

The University was established in 2008 as one of the five public universities in the country.

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Government re-opened schools ending lockdown

South Sudan Minister of General Education and Instruction Hon. Awut Deng Acuil re-opened schools on Monday, ending children redundancy in the communities. 

Privates and public institutions include primary, secondary, and universities, were permitted to resume learning under COVID-19 restricted measures.

General education commanded children with disabilities, pregnant, girls and boys to go back to school. Parents were requested to follow the ministry instruction to allow children restart classes on Monday, May 3rd.

Teenagers girl’s early pregnancy saddened vice president for Service cluster Hussein Abdelbagi during the pandemic lockdown. 

He (Hussein) said, “the children are the future of the country. And the states’ government should work with national ministry of General Education to develop the education sector.”

UNICEF Country representative Hamida Lasseko appreciated the government commitment allowing access to education; while urging the ministry and parents to prioritize children.

“A lot happened to children when they were at home. Unfortunately, some of them were going through many difficulties and challenges, as we all know. And we know this has not been a short period; fourteen months of children being out of school are long. 

But, it is essential to mention that we need to take the lessons learned during this time. And to be more prepared to ensure that the safe return of school is sustained to take care of the school for these children.”

Education partners were alarmed by children who dropped out of schools, primarily teenagers who got marriages during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ms. Hamida caution students to keenly observed health prevention measures in class.

Juba Day Secondary student Emmanuel Sola Andrea was so happy celebrating school re-opening after lifting the lockdown. 

“We lose some students who die during the time of the pandemic. We are sitting with him in the primary leaving examination. It is painful to us.” 

Female students in Juba Day Secondary Josephine Francis Badi believed schools re-opening would reduce risky pregnancy and early marriages among school girls.

South Sudan closed all schools in March 2020 as a COVID-19 prevention measure, and candidate classes were given the green light in October.

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Students to get ready as school reopening in May 3rd

The Ministry of Education in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state has called students, school administrations, and Parents for preparation ahead of schools reopening next month.

The national ministry of education closed down the school in March last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to protect students from the virus.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of General Education announced schools reopening after the lockdown was lifted.

Valentino Achak Deng, Minister of Education in NBGs State, said the learning centers should be open soon. He urged teachers should start reporting themselves to their duty location.

“I came here to juba for a four days education conference which is discussing general education. Fortunately, we have decided on reopening schools in two weeks, and we are still discussing other issues.

“I want to take this time to call upon parents, teachers, schools’ administrations, and partner organizations concerned with education to take note and support the reopening of the schools.”

Although the school will be open, COVID-19 precaution measures are mandatory, which shall be observed. The school administrators in NBGs affirmed their readiness to reopen schools.

“We were called by the ministry this week about this issue of schools reopening. And we feel that we are ready to open schools, although the issue of teachers’ absenteeism is affecting us. We are already trying to mobilize and recruit new teachers.

>We are ready; it is a surprise reopening of the schools after a long time. But we will cooperate with the announcement, our students have been down for so long, and many were dropping out.”

Earlier this month, Parents in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state were concerned that school closure negatively affected their children, young girls become mothers.