Universal Primary Education: The Best Option for South Sudan Education
By Morris Mabior Awikjokdit
The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan defined Education as the fundamental right to every citizen to be educated but the former National Ministers of Education science and Technology were against the establishment of quality education in the country as the intention of the attempted coup.
Dr. Adwok Nyaba was against the operation of private Institutions of learning across the country due to the reason best known to him. Instead of fighting against high illiteracy rates in the young nation, comrade Adwok Nyaba went as far as encouraging the closure of private universities.
Education is one of the basic ways people of the Republic of South Sudan can achieve their well- being. It life-time earnings as well as how much a person can engage with and contribute to the entire society of South Sudan. Quality education positively effects health, and lowers family size and fertility rates.
Availability of workers with the right skills is one of the key determinants of success for any business and of capable and professional public bureaucracies and service. Investing in Education in South Sudan will brings individuals and societies enormous benefits, socially, environmentally and economically. But to realize these benefits, children and adolescents must have access to Education and learn from it.
Across the African states, investment in education clearly benefits individuals and societies. In countries emerging from conflict, giving children who couldn’t attend school and a second chance is one way to rebuild individual capabilities and move into national recovery.
However, globally, there is an education, learning and skills crisis especially in the ten Southern states. Some primary schools are operating under the quantities average instead of quality education. The author of this opinion piece of Article is totally confuse about the current education system in South Sudan and I don’t really understand to my limit knowledge whether our government want quality education or quantity?
I believe it important to target learning outcomes, to make sure that every child performs up to a global minimum standard upon completing primary and secondary education. To do this, many countries have found that pre-primary education, getting children ready to learn, is also needed in South Sudan, so we have added target on that.
All around the world, we are nearing universal primary school enrollment, although 28 million children in countries emerging from conflict like DRC, Mali, Somalia, Central Africa Republic and South Sudan are still not in proper established Educational system.
Universal primary education, continues to be a required priority and our government need to ensure all children, regardless of circumstance, are able to enroll and complete a full course of primary and lower secondary education and, in most cases meet minimum learning standards by employing qualified trained teachers.
Of course, education is about far more than basic literacy and numeracy. While the target is about access to school and learning, education’s aims are wider. As set out in the convention on the Rights of the child, education enables children to realize their talents and full potential earn respect for human rights and prepare them for their role as adults. With quality Education, it should also encourage creative thinking, teamwork and problem solving.
It can also lead people to learn to appreciate natural resources, become aware of the importance of sustainable consumption and production and climate change, and gain an understanding of sexual and reproductive health. Education supplies young people with skills for life, work and earning livelihood.
Teachers are often early mentors who inspire children to advance. The quality of education in all countries depends on having a sufficient number of motivated teachers, well trained and possessing strong subject- area knowledgeable. Equity must be a core principle in promoting education system of the Republic of South Sudan. Education disparities persist among and within countries.
In many countries where average enrollment rates have raised, the gaps between, for example, rural girls from a minority community and urban boys from the majority group are vast. Some states have made significant gains in education of South Sudan in the last decade in reducing disparities based on disability, ethnicity, language, being a religious minority and being displaced. Equatorial region benefits in education of South Sudan more than other region of the country.
As children move on higher levels of education the education gap still remains enormous. Many children who finish primary school do not go on to secondary school due to lack of strong secondary schools established and insufficient of qualified trained teachers.
Under payment of teachers and lack of motivating them is another factor facing the education system of South Sudan? They should, and we have included a target to reflect this.
Skills learned in school must also help young people to get a job. Some are non- cognitive skills teamwork, leadership, problem solving. Others should come from technical and vocational training centers.
Wherever it takes place, these skills are important components of inclusive and equitable growth. Such activities are needed to build capacity and professionalism in governments and business, especially in conflict affected states.
The barriers to education of South Sudan, and the most effective solutions, will vary from state to state. But the commitment to learning must be constant and unwavering.
The author is a freelance opinion writer and a professional experience teacher based in Warrap state- Kuajok. He can be reached by email: morrisawikjok@yahoo.com
About Post Author
