Partners launch campaign to boost teaching and quality of education as schools reopen

Juba, 28 May 2022 – As schools across South Sudan prepare to reopen on Monday 2 May, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGE&I) and partners including European Union (EU), African Development Bank (AfDB), the Global Programme for Education (GPE) and UNICEF – are advocating for the crucial role of teachers in ensuring quality education for children.

In a new campaign titled Teaching is not just my job – it’s my passion UNICEF is focusing on teachers in South Sudan who love their job and take joy in teaching, nurturing and developing their students.

The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness and advocate for quality education and demonstrate that teachers in South Sudan are the backbone of the education sector. It aims to inspire all the dedicated teachers, often working on a voluntary basis, and motivate a new generation of learners – even beyond the classroom.

The campaign is featuring on multiple media platforms around the country including on billboards, videos and public service announcements on 15 radio stations. Programmes on Radio Miraya will also highlight the achievements and challenges, and UNICEF will feature stories from teachers and children on its websites and social media.

The campaign also focuses on how teachers can act as mentors to motivate children to remain in school. Female teachers, particularly in rural areas, are role models for girls to attend school which can protect them from child marriage and gender-based violence.

“The role of teachers is critical in ensuring that every child in South Sudan gets an education. The Ministry will work with partners to provide more training to build the capacity of teachers so that they are equipped to provide quality education for our children,” said Hon. Awut Deng Acuil, Minister for General Education and Instruction.

The MoGE&I is working with UNICEF to support the ongoing teacher training and continuous professional development courses for teachers, which will help improve the quality of education.

“The European Union is a long-standing partner on education in South Sudan, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other donor partners. Youth are the future.  Strong quality education with qualified and committed teachers are therefore imperative. EU is committed to continue engaging for more structural development on education. To that end, a strengthened partnership with the government is needed. Each will have to fulfil its obligations and walk side by side. Teachers’ salaries need to be paid timely by Government. Donors need to connect structural support to a well targeted South Sudanese inclusive policy on education. No child should be left behind” said Hon. EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Christian Bader.

Children in South Sudan continue to face challenges to access education opportunities. On the one hand, the recurrent floods and humanitarian crises have damaged and destroyed many schools, while the continued insecurity caused by the ongoing conflicts in certain areas prevents teachers and students from attending school.

“The future of our children is at stake if we do not invest in training and salaries for teachers and an enabling environment for students to attend school. The time to act is now and we must continue and build upon this strong coalition of partners to protect and educate our children,” said Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan.

Being in school has important benefits for children beyond academic learning. Schools are safe places where they are protected from exploitation, abuse and from harmful cultural practices such as child marriage. Schools also allow children to access basic services including clean water, health and in many cases a reliable source of nutritious food.

UNICEF, the European Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Partnership for Education support the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to improve equitable access to quality education for children in South Sudan. This year, UNICEF and partners will also focus on advocacy for the timely payment of teachers.