Join us and leave your mark ! The Minister of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) has just announced that all schools in South Sudan will reopen on 3 May 2021. We now know more about children and COVID-19 than we did before. By Deng Machol Juba - On Thursday, the Government of Norway has provided NOK 90 million [$10 million] to support a safe return to school for children in restive South Sudan. The countrywide reopening of schools in South Sudan is a welcome step on the road to "normalcy" for youngsters, two in three of whom need humanitarian assistance, the UN Children's Fund ( UNICEF) said on Tuesday. Major General Chol Diar disclosed at today's function that such orders have already been issued for schools recently occupied by armed groups -especially in Western Equatoria state to be vacated and the forces organized. The printed guidelines offer direction on concrete measures that armed forces and non-state actors can take to avoid military use of educational facilities, to reduce the risks of attacks, and to mitigate the impact of attacks and military use when they occur. The closure ended up being a huge blow for education, but more than anything it turned into a child rights crisis. Students, teachers and parents look ahead as senior 4 exams finish. "The exams were fair, not hard, not easy, but it was fair. Charity and Empowerment Foundation with support from Save the Children invited stakeholders for the official launch of the 'Safe Schools Declaration Guidelines' for South Sudan on Monday. The Declaration is expected to also protect students, teachers, schools, and other learning institutions from some of the worst effects of armed conflicts. With the closure of schools, from one day to another, the number of out of school children in South Sudan had almost doubled. With the closures of schools an additional 2 million children were out of school. It is estimated that 72% of children are out of school at the primary level and that 76% of girls are out of school the highest rate globally. My plan for the exam is to study as much as possible, keep on reading every day and hope that I am ready for the examination, said Daniel, days after returning to school. Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, western media have been demanding in their reports that "Africa should be silent no more." But the countrywide reopening of schools in May 2021 is an opportunity to secure the future of children in South Sudan. Schools finally reopened their doors after more than 14 months of closures because of COVID-19. "I can't wait to get the results and join the university. The following three years of the GESP are focused on institutionalizing teacher training, school supervision, and expansion of secondary and technical education. Students and pupils learn different things in contrast to what is taught in schools as they are not keen to revise their books; only the reopening of schools can make everything better, and the learning process will resume smoothly.. South Sudan to reopen schools in October | CGTN Africa How fast are countries transforming their education? With 2.2 million children not in school, South Sudan has one of the largest out-of-school figures worldwide. Multiple observers said schools re-opening would reduce risky pregnancy and early marriages among school girls. The program is complementary to South Sudans US$7 million COVID-19 grant. Private and public institutions including primary, secondary, and universities, were permitted to resume learning under COVID-19 restricted measures. UNICEF is thankful for all the support from our trusted Education partners, including Canada, EU/ECHO, Norway, Sweden, the Global Partnership for Education, UKAID andUSAID. The longer children are out of school, the harder it is to get them back. Government has finally - Salaam Schools - South Sudan | Facebook Even the teachers are ready to go back to work. These include handwashing, stations, WASH supplies, thermometers, reusable masks, and menstrual hygiene management kits. Prolonged school closures are likely to cause students to regress academically. Verified 5 days ago. He noted that schools will only operate at half capacity as preventive measures against COVID-19. The long-term impact of extending the school lockdown risks ever greater harm to children, their future and their communities. Also, nothing can replace face-to-face interaction with teachers or peers. Ensuring children resume schooling has important benefits beyond academic learning. The US$7 million COVID-19 grant supports: In late March 2020, the UNICEF office in South Sudan received a GPE grant of US$70,000 to support the Ministry of Education in planning its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 - UNICEF and UNESCO welcome the decision of the Government to start reopening of schools in South Sudan. "We share in the excitement of the children, their teachers & the parents that finally the doors of our schools can reopen for children to learn, play and enjoy their right to safe education." Schools protect learners from harmful cultural practices and work as an access point for services including water, sanitation and hygiene and food. The Safe School Declaration has been developed in the form of Schools as . South Sudans education system is characterized as a low investment, low capacity, but high demand system. Cameroon: Rights Groups, Women Organizations Want Urgent End to Atrocities, Human Rights Violations in NW/SWRs, Congo Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project Paves the Way for Energy Security on the Back of Gas, Tanzanias Simba SC Lose To African Champions Waydad In A Do-Or-Die Quarter-Final, Nigeria: Cameroon Anglophone Refugees Turn To Farming For Survival, Tanzania: Dar-Zanzibar To Construct Longest Bridge In Africa Crossing The Sea, Appeasement In Khartoum-The Tragedy In Sudan Was Predictable. Phase 2 includes all schools and grades and will coincide with the . Salaam Bright Academy is one of the schools under Salaam Schools South Sudan. All schools have been closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19, keeping 2 million children out of school. It says the country now records a decline of three percent of cases daily. Pupils attend a class at Spire Road Primary School in Jinja on March 1. Find out more about our work towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Fifty-eightwomen and children of more than 600 who were abducted last year during vicious intercommunal fighting in South Sudan, have been reunited with their families, the UN Spokesperson told reporters on Monday. The Director of the La Salle School of Rumbek, Brother Joseph Alak, recently told Vatican News about what this school of 153 boys, aged 14 to 16, means to the people in post-war South Sudan. Salaam Schools - South Sudan. UNICEF is committed to working with the ministry of education to ensure learning continues in the country. In March 2020, all education facilities IFP accuse ANC of interfering in the management of school nutrition @HamidaLasseko pic.twitter.com/owyBrZxKVd, Especially in a country like South Sudan, where were also faced with humanitarian emergencies in many parts of the country, he explained. "When schools reopen, we will notice a reduced number of female students, she says with sadness in her eyes. Describing the joy felt by children and aid workers as classrooms reopened on Monday after more than 14 months of COVID-19 restrictions, Mads Oyen, UNICEFs chief of field operations, explained that going back to school was about more than just learning. Groundwater, making the invisible visible. Allowing learning to take place and protection of children during learning in South Sudan is [paramount]," VP Ayii asserted. Learn about employment opportunities across the UN in South Sudan. SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Cat II Intergovernmental meeting, other than international conference of States, SDG 4 Regional Steering Committee Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean. And evidence has proven that the longer schoolchildren are out of school, the less likely they are to return. "I am happy that schools are going to reopen. You can sense the jubilation at Development Secondary School in Juba as senior four students braced the blistering heat to celebrate the completion of their secondary school examinations. . "To save education, we need to stop the violence, allocate enough budget for education, provide free learning materials, expand adult education and allow all children to complete at least free primary and secondary education. School meals in Sudan are a strong incentive for parents to send their children to school. The current reopening plan will cost just under USD 16.4 million, while only USD 7 million is available through the Global Partnership for Education. Usually, we look forward to the holidays, but suddenly our holiday became so long," Wendy said. ", "It is important for us the organized forces to disseminate the booklet," said Lieutenant-General James Pui Yak Yiel, He added that "we are committed to distributing this document and enforcing it within the armed forces since we are also the law enforcers. ywillemot@unicef.org tr.pant@unesco.org SDG: SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Protection of human rights (Procedure 104). But capacity building efforts of the government have been interrupted by conflict. Schools reopening date set to be decided today | Monitor Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, vice president in charge of service cluster, said the decision came in the wake of the recent drop in COVID-19 infections since March. FCDO, UK Department for International Development, US Agency for International Development, USAID, ensure an increased equitable access to quality education, South Sudan: Securing a brighter future for children affected by conflict, Ministry of General Education and Instruction, General Education Sector Plan (GESP) 2017-2022. She caution students to keenly observed health prevention measures in class. "Overstaying at home is embarrassing us and erasing away the knowledge we acquired from our teachers. Wendy, a 16-year-old student who completed the recent Senior 4 exams in Juba. Our task is to inform people about the dangers of occupying civilian facilities, Gai said. And what they said, they should continue with it and help our teachers so that we shall continue with our studies, Shantal Dominic said. South Sudan's Information minister Michael Makuei told The East African that the decision had been arrived at after a comprehensive study by the National Taskforce on Covid-19. Describing the "joy" felt by children and aid workers as classrooms reopened on Monday after more than 14 months of COVID . In conclusion, Save the Childrens Country Director called for an increase in funding for peace education and the implementation of the Safe School Declaration guidelines., Written by Daniel Danis/Save the Children, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Minister of General Education and Instructions Awut Deng Achuil during the reopening of schools launch May 3rd. Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace. Juba, South Sudan, After 14 months, schools in South Sudan reopen, Welcome to the United Nations country team website of South Sudan. Several UN agencies, Embassies as well as education actors were represented at the . The government has previously faced criticism for relaxing restrictions despite still registering increases in COVID-19 cases. John is one of the beneficiaries of school materials handed I am very excited to enrol for my bachelor's degree in logistics studies; it is so appealing.". We must mobilize to ensure no one is left behind, said Jacqueline Weekers, Director of Migration Health for IOM. When schools in South Sudan shut down in mid-March 2020, forcing 2 million children out of school, we knew very little about Covid-19 and its impact on children. "I am so excited for completing my exams despite the long stay at home. Usually, we look forward to the holidays, but suddenly our holiday became so long," Wendy said. The Minister of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) has just announced that all schools in South Sudan will reopen on 3 May 2021. Schools in South Sudan are set to reopen nearly seven months after they were closed as part of the governments measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and pupils learn different things in contrast to what is taught in schools as they are not keen to revise their books; only the reopening of schools can make everything better, and the learning process will resume smoothly.. Even the teachers are ready to go back to work. This is a great day for children in South Sudan who can soon resume their learning and continue planning for their future. The Honourable Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng Acuil . In her remarks, Save the Children's Country Director, Rama Hansraj said there is a need for strong participation of the government to enforce the document. Now, its time for Lawrence and the rest of the children to return to school. UNESCO is the United Nations Laboratory of Ideas. I can tell you that we will work day and night as we have done before to ensure that not only about the opening of schools but sustaining these children to stay in schools and supporting all areas which involve quality and quantity when it comes to education. Makuei also said restrictions on working hours had been lifted and that offices will open from 8am to 5pm beginning next week. This should lead to a robust plan for ensuring all children receive a quality education, Rama Hansraj underscored. The Sisters of Loreto already have Loreto Rumbek, which comprises a primary school, a secondary school and a primary health care unit. UNICEF and UNESCO welcome the decision of the Government to start reopening of schools in South Sudan. It was good enough for us to finish," Daniel Athien (17), a senior 4 student,joyfully expressed after putting down his pencil. On 20 March 2020, all schools in South Sudan were closed and almost 2 million children were forced out of classes due to COVID-19 preventive measures. [Photo: Radio Tamazuj, South Sudan launches school reopening across the country. Nathalina Samuel is happy that her seven children can resume their education. South Sudans Ministry of General Education and Instruction has announced the reopening of both secondary and primary schools country-wide in the national capital Juba on Monday. This has been due to a growing consensus that both the formal and informal economies cannot afford to remain shut down indefinitely. These services range from maternal and child health, including the screening of under-fives to detect malnutrition, sexual and reproductive health services and testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Schools reopening date set to be decided today. 165. Photo Credit: WFP You can sense the jubilation at Development Secondary School in Juba as senior four students braced the blistering heat to celebrate the completion of their secondary school examinations. We appeal to the communities and the families to have confidence and send their children back to school once it has re-opened. Phase 1 includes the candidate classes, Primary 8 and Senior 4, and will start the first week of October 2020. "The exams were fair, not hard, not easy, but it was fair. Schools. UNICEF has been one of many strong advocates for the reopening of schools. Before COVID-19, South Sudans health system was already heavily dependent on humanitarian actors who now face worrying funding shortfalls, IOM said, inan appealfor $744,175 per month to continue providing life-saving care. Numerous reports speak about child marriages and early pregnancies due to girls being out of school and increased gender-based violence. After the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan in 2018, many parts of the country saw a decrease in conflict incidents. Noel Kana is one of them, "I am happy to hear that schools will reopen because being idle is not suitable for learners. I am excited to hear schools will reopen and soon we shall get to reunite with friends and teachers to learn more," Lawrence said. We are calling on to the teachers to welcome their pupils back in their classes. And the risks for them of keeping schools closed outweigh the health risks caused by the pandemic. October 6, 2020 12:32 pm. The children are the future of the country. . With the academic year cut just six weeks in, many students were worried they would never be able to sit their final exams and finish their education. "I am happy that right now, we can study again. Yet, it is critical to balance the overwhelmingly damaging effects of school closures on children with the need to control the spread of COVID-19. And we know this has not been a short period; fourteen months of children being out of school are long, said Ms. Hamida. "This year is unique; I am proud of all candidates who never experienced school closures before, and despite the pandemic and crazy things happening, reading for exams in a short time. However, schools are closed until September, as one of the measures to halt the spread of COVID-19. This builds on 11 years of Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) support to national education coalitions for their engagement in education sector policy dialogue. Unfortunately, some of them were going through many difficulties and challenges, as we all know. This comes on top of the 2.2 million children out of school before the pandemic hit South Sudan. Their mental health deteriorates. I work for the GPE Secretariat Details: WebIn South Sudan, 51 percent of children are out of school. SSEC- Report After Action Review of School Feeding (South Sudan Humanitarian Fund-SA 1) Questionnaire - IRNA Education Chapter. As part of its investment in civil society advocacy and social accountability efforts, GPEs Education Out Loud fund is supporting the South Sudan National Education Coalition for the 2019-2021 period. ", During the launch of the guidelines, the Undersecretary Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs read their commitment to the document as written by the Minister of Defense, Angelina Teny, "We shall ensure the concerned units within Ministry of Defense are instructed to start the process of observing the safe school guidelines," Major General Chol Diar Ngang pledged. Parents are also thrilled to see their children returning to school. It is now ten years since Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Africa, with Tanzania being his first stop on the Opinion Piece: The Author isDr Zhou Pingjian, the Ambassador of China to Kenya. COVID-19 is still with us but we have decided to reopen schools and will strictly follow COVID-19 preventative measures in the schools, Akol told journalists in Juba during the official reopening for learners. Furthermore, South Sudan Ministry of Education policy framework has been developed and is now before the cabinet for approval. Education partners were alarmed by children who dropped out of schools, primarily teenagers who got marriages during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After few months, some countries realized that it is not wise to remains in lockdown and to waiting for the right . The plan includes improved water provision to schools, repair of water infrastructure, soap distribution, handwashing stations and sanitary kits. Seeing children at home idle is having a profound negative effect on children, especially girls that are being married off at a tender age," says Nathalina Samuel, a mother of seven children. After 14 months, schools in South Sudan reopen Meanwhile, the Executive Director of CEF, Chol Gai appreciated the Ministry of Defense, Interior and partners for committing to the document. "We are here to declare our commitment to practice the safe school declaration," said Vice President Ayii after handing over copies of the guidelines. So, my appeal will be to the parents across the entire country that all the children in this country must report back to school boys and girls together. It is against this background that we encourage the authorities of South Sudan, as well as communities, parents, and teachers to employ the same agility and urgency to safely reopen schools. Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Although South Sudan endorsed the Safe School Declaration in 2015, it has not been able to implement the guidelines fully and conduct the assessments due to lack of funds. There are 400,000 children out of school due to chronic insecurity and displacement, while another 13,000 are absorbed in the country's . The reopening will happen in phases. All rights reserved. There were tears of joy at OR Tambo International Airport today following the return of 52 South . After an initial allocation of $35.7 million, a $6 million additional grant was approved to contribute to the implementation of the General Education Strategic Plan (GESP), 2017-2022. 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