A file picture of a teacher in South Sudan. (File photo/courtesy).

Staying in Education, a lumbering company, has constructed and handed over a primary school to residents of Yei River County as part of its ‘give back to the community’.

Makuta Multipurpose Construction Company set up the facility in Kagelu area in Otogo Payam.

In early 2014, residents in the area staged a strike, accusing lumbering companies and the authorities at Kagelu forest plantation of failing to provide social services.

Residents wanted schools, health centers and clean drinking water as benefits for the exploitation of their natural resources.

“This school [construction] is over, but it has no desks in the classrooms,” Richard Benjamin Lasuba, managing director of the company.

“Another thing I would like to say is that, the number of teachers in this school is very low and their salaries are also low.”

Meanwhile, the school headmistress, Moriba Luka, says the new facility will create a favorable environment for learning.

“More than 10 years ago, this school was in challenges – rain, sunshine, and windy conditions not favorable to the learners. Today you have seen a fantastic building standing here. But still more things are still needed.”

She appeals for provision of more learning materials for the school.