Officials from the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, the International Rescue Committee, Plan International, War Child Alliance, and partner organizations pose for a group photo on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, during the launch of the PlayMatters project in Juba. Photo: Madrama James/Eye Radio

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, and a consortium of international organizations, has officially launched the PlayMatters project—a four-year, $14.5 million initiative designed to improve holistic learning outcomes for children across South Sudan.

PlayMatters is a global education initiative targeting crisis-affected regions to enhance the well-being and academic development of children aged 3 to 12.

The program seeks to strengthen the national education system by promoting active teaching and learning through playful, structured methodologies.

The project is implemented by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) alongside Plan International and War Child Alliance.

Speaking at the launch, Omot Okony Olok, Undersecretary of MoGEI, emphasized the project’s potential to address core educational gaps.

“We have a great challenge of achieving foundational learning in numeracy and literacy,” said Olok. “If PlayMatters is well implemented, this can help the foundational learning on literacy and numeracy. This is actually the most challenging factor affecting our learners.”

“Some of our learners can reach secondary school, yet they cannot read or speak well, and in numeracy, counting is a problem. We hope this will have a great impact on foundational learning.”

The initiative comes at a critical time for South Sudan, where reports indicate that over 2.8 million children—more than 70 percent of the school-age population—are currently out of school.

Richard Orengo, IRC South Sudan Country Director, speaking on behalf of the implementing partners, explained that the program adapts directly to the realities of local classrooms without altering the national curriculum.

“We will work in schools across twelve counties in seven states, aiming to reach over 160,000 children, community leaders serving on PTAs, school management committees, and system actors,” said Orengo.

“The program will respond to complex education needs in South Sudan because access is just one of the problems in front of us as a sector. PlayMatters does not ask teachers to teach something different.”

“It supports them to deliver the national curriculum in a way that children can learn better and absorb more through active, structured, playful instruments that work in crowded classrooms with limited teaching and learning materials.”

The four-year initiative will roll out across seven states: Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Upper Nile, Unity, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria.