The first inter-school drama festival is ongoing at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba.

It brings together pupils from primary and students from secondary schools, colleges, and universities to compete in drama, dance, and poetry under the theme; “National Unity for Peace and Development”.

A youth film and theatre organization called, Woyee, organized the event. It auditioned and selected 14 schools out of 28 from within Juba County for the competition.

Speaking at the opening day of the festival on Monday, Joyce Maker, the Deputy Director of Woyee said the aim of the festival is to raise awareness on issues affecting children enrolment and retention in schools.

“The students will ask you through their dramas and verses to discourage children from working as bus conductors and as cattle herders, but to go to school,” Ms Maker told Eye Radio.

“They will show you why early or forced marriage is disastrous to the wellbeing of our girls. The students here will also appeal to you why peace and not war is important for our progress.”

The caretaker Minister of Education in Central Equatoria state, Lily Kapuki, said building peace in the country should start with uniting children.

“Such activities will bring creativity to the children and also it will encourage them to build unity among themselves – to be better friends, because they understand each other, they work together and this is what this country needs,” she stated.

Ms Kapuki urged parents to encourage children to interact among each other through educational activities such as drama.

The festival begins at 12pm and ends at 5pm. The finals are this Wednesday.

The first inter-school, colleges and universities drama festival is funded by the USAID through Internews.