Susan Nyang, UNICEF South Sudan education officer - Credit: Moses Awan/Eye Radio - Sept. 8, 2023

The United Nations Children’s Agency – UNICEF is appealing to the unity government and donors to allocate more funds to the education sector in the country.

It says lack of sufficient funding, infrastructure and floods among others are the main challenges facing the education sector.

Susan Nyang, UNICEF South Sudan education officer reiterated the UN children agency’s commitment to promoting and advocating for the education of children in the country.

Susan was speaking on the Dawn show earlier today, which marks International Literacy Day.

“Financing is a really big challenge in South Sudan, Education is one of the least financed sectors in the economy and we are talking about 11% of financing, it is really low and the needs out there are huge,” said Susan.

“Children are really in need of education, there is a need to support the infrastructure through financing. This is one of the challenges that we often face.”

“We are appealing to the donors and also to the government to support in financing,” she said.

“On this international literacy day, Unicef is committed to promoting education to children in South Sudan,” she added.

“We will continue to advocate for funding and ensure that literacy is promoted to children regardless of their gender, children with disabilities, gender and also children in adverse situations and emergencies.”

International Literacy Day is commemorated every year on September 8, to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems within local communities.

Although much progress has been made in improving literacy rates in South Sudan, illiteracy remains a problem among children and young people.

This year’s celebration is under the theme ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.