Pupils in one of the disadvantaged schools in South Sudan attending classes/Courtesy photo

The Ministry of General Education on Wednesday launched a more than 700 Million US dollar-sector plan to improve equitable access to quality education across the country in the next five years.

According to the Ministry, despite improved enrollment of children in schools over the years 2.8 more are still out of school in the country.

It highlighted key issues such as the quality of teachers, resilience to emergencies, and protracted crises like floods, conflict, and food security as some of the factors affecting the education sector.

Speaking during the launch on Wednesday, 08/11/2023, Kuyok Abol Kuyok, the undersecretary of the Minister of General Education emphasized the need to improve access to education across the country.

He said it is important for the institution to be efficient in education in its work.

The 2023-2027 framework plan was launched under the theme: ‘Five-year General Education Sector Plan as a Framework to Transform South Sudan.’

Martin Tako, the Deputy Minister of General Education and Instructions said the lack of accurate, reliable, and timely data needed to inform decisions is very much affecting the effectiveness of education in the country.

According to Martin, the recent heavy fall of rain may even paralyze the dire situation in greater Pibor and Unity state.

“Almost two states are submerged by flash water and with the recent heavy fall of rains. I don’t know what will be the situation in Unity, Jonglei, Greater Pibor, and even some parts of Western Equatoria state are cut off,” he said.

Martin appealed to partners to align their interventions to the revised national development strategy for a better future of education for children in the country.

“The general education sector plan will be a key document which the partners will align their interventions. It will also be a tool to merge some of the national commitments such as the revised national development strategy and South Sudan Vision 2024.

“As we validate and launch this education sector plan today. It’s my hope that we are jointly searching for a trajectory for the future education of the children of our beloved country,” he added.

According to the policy document, $701.1million dollars will be required as the cost of the implementation of the project.

UN agencies, UNICEF, and UNESCO have often called on the government to increase its budget for the education sector witnessed the project launch. As partners, they have expressed readiness to support the government in the sector.