Education Minister Awut Deng Acuil (red jacket), Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor (dark blue top/far left) and partners wave to learners and community members after the launch of Education Cannot Wait program in Lakes State. | Photo: Yirol FM

The Minister of General Education and Instruction on Friday launched Education Cannot Wait – a resilience program to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Lakes State.

Awut Deng Achuil initiated the multi-year program in Yirol West and East counties – in an event attended by Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor and education partners.

Addressing learners, teachers, parents and communities leaders at Lekakudu Primary School, Minister Awut commended efforts rendered by the teachers to provide quality education to learners in the state.

The 2023-2026 Multi-Year Resilience Programme for South Sudan will  at least 135,000 of the most in-need girls and boys across fourteen prioritized counties, with a special focus on IDPs and returnees.

During the implementation phase, the grantees will work together to ensure safe and equitable access, improved quality of teaching and learning, boost inclusivity, and a more resilient education system in the targeted areas.

As of 2018, an estimated 2.8 million children were out of school in South Sudan according to the Ministry of General Education.

Some of the targeted counties include Magwi, Kapoeta North, Awerial, Yirol East, Gogrial East, Guit, Nyirol, Baliet among others.