By Madol Madol Aguer, Kampala, Uganda
February 5, 2017 (SSB) — Two days ago, the ministry of the general education and instructions under the honorable minister, Mr. Deng Deng announced that the government schools are free for all children regardless of their ethnicity, religion and political affiliation to access a universal education in the Republic of South Sudan.
Good move perhaps what is its impact on educational services, economic and development of the human resources or Man power of the nation.
Free means accessing the services without paying or without difficulties in getting it or through, that mean free education in South Sudan will be accessible by almost ongoing schools children to create an enabling education for all regardless of their backgrounds and abilities.
Impact means implications and simplicity of accessing services, goods or legal rights including this free education in South Sudan.
To be honest, free education is a government responsibility to eradicate illiteracy and poverty in the state if given the opportunity for all ongoing school children when it’s well thought out as long as it’s constructive approach.
However, government should remember that there was free education in South Sudan although not in its totality but it has never achieved the original results of free education because of no enough support for the teaching class and professionals.
Education sector in South Sudan is taken as dumping side for unskilled people and that why one find some schools being headed by primary school leavers, no money and other teaching materials.
The move to me will close the doors of many schools because some of the teaching classes were enduring the situation just because of the registration fees and small charges being paid for accessing education. I know that our government is trying hard to provide services to the citizens but our government should also think about implicit problem connected to the approach at the moment.
Government appointed teachers are getting SSP 300 to SSP 900 currently in this economic woeful but they support themselves with small fees being charges to catered for examinations, chalks and other school materials specially in the country side.
Therefore, how will the teaching class and professionals continue teaching with this breakfast amount in the state. Believe me or not but you have thrown a bomb in education sector if there are no accompanied services following free education in South Sudan.
Take it or leave it but you’re closing the doors of the class rooms in the country because those teaching staffs who are getting SSP300 will put down their tools and find other means of survival.
The best way government should start is by reforming economic sectors, increments of the incentives, enumerations and considers free education in South Sudan last night of our economic booms or recession reforms.
Lastly, if the ministry of education could do research on how illiteracy rate should be brought into its knees, than i will recommend privatization of the government projects including the schools.
Let me rest here and wait for its impact that will appears after 5 years from the order.
The author, Madol Madol Aguer, is pursuing Msc of Economic Policy and Planning, at Kampala University, Uganda and can be reached via his email: Mmadolaguer2015@gmail.com or mobile: 0922202023
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