Back to School Campaign
Empowering South Sudan’s Future Through Education
How often do we truly consider children as the key stakeholders in decisions that shape their futures? In South Sudan, over 2.8 million children are facing barriers to education. Economic hardship, insecurity, climate change, displacement, and harmful cultural practices like child marriage prevent many from accessing education. This year, with rising school fees, the number of dropouts is expected to increase further, leaving more children behind.
In response, the UNICEF Young Reporters have launched a powerful Back-to-School campaign. Through sharing their personal stories, they aim to highlight how education can transform lives—not just for individuals, but for the future of South Sudan as a whole. These young voices advocate for raising awareness about the importance of education, encourage those who have lost hope to return to school, and call for quality, affordable education for every child. As the new academic year begins, the urgency of their message has never been more pressing.
Through their words, these Young Reporters illustrate the undeniable role education plays in shaping the future of South Sudan and offer inspiring calls to action.
Education: The Key to Ending Hunger and Poverty
By Esther Keji,
As I prepare to return to school, I think about how essential education is for shaping my future. It is not just about textbooks and exams; school is where we learn life skills, build friendships, and lay the foundation for a better life. Education is a right, not a privilege.
Education also plays a critical role in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, which seeks to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. An educated community is empowered to make better decisions, create lasting change, and work toward a future free from poverty.
We must advocate for a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances—has access to education. When we invest in education, we invest in a brighter future for everyone.
As Esther reflects on the power of education to break the cycle of poverty, Nene Atif emphasizes its transformative potential, especially for girls who face life challenges like early pregnancies or forced marriages.
Rewrite Your Story: Education as a Path to Empowerment
By Nene Atif
When I think about my own journey, I know many girls of my age have had their education interrupted due to early pregnancies or forced marriages. But here’s my message to those girls: You can rewrite your story. Education is the key to transforming your life.
Going back to school isn’t just about being academically ready. It’s about being emotionally prepared to face the challenges ahead. Life can feel difficult when things take an unexpected turn, but it’s never too late to start again. Whether you have faced early marriage or pregnancy, education can still open doors for you.
Education is a path to opportunities. It is a tool to create change. Don’t give up on your dreams. Yes, it’s okay to feel upset about the past, but remember—you have the chance to rewrite your future.
Education isn’t just about classroom learning; it’s a tool for social change. It helps us understand our rights, engage in civic matters, and advocate for the issues that matter to us.
As the school year begins, I encourage everyone to commit to their education. Together, we can learn, grow, and use our voices to create positive change. Let’s rewrite our stories and transform our futures.
Building on Nene's message of empowerment, Randa Wani stresses the importance of ensuring that education is accessible to all, especially as the financial burden of rising school fees threatens to keep many children out of school.
Fighting for Equal Access to Education
By Randa Wani
Education is a right, not a privilege. Yet, rising school fees are preventing many children from attending school. With over 2.8 million children out of school in South Sudan, the financial burden of tuition, uniforms, and supplies is too great for many families.
No child should be left behind simply because of their family’s financial situation. We need to regulate school fees to make education accessible to every child, regardless of income.
Education is the foundation for a brighter future, and we must ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn.
Let’s raise our voices and push for change, so that every child can attend school and receive the education they deserve.
Randa’s call for equal access is backed by Wisdom Weiu’s message on how education serves as the foundation for a better, independent future for every child.
Education: The Foundation for a Better Future
By Wisdom Weiu
Education is the foundation for all the rights and opportunities we deserve in life. It’s the key to everything—whether you want to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or even a pilot, education is the first step in making those dreams come true.
For me, education isn’t just about reading books or passing exams. It’s the umbrella that holds all our rights as children. Without education, it’s difficult to secure a livelihood and shape the future I want for myself. Education provides the tools I need to succeed, contribute to my community, and live a life of independence.
I urge my peers, parents, and governments to prioritize education. Education is the key to everything, and it’s the path to a better tomorrow for all of us. Let’s invest in education because it holds the power to transform our futures.
As we look ahead to a future shaped by educated minds, Mary Adut emphasizes the need to ensure girls have equal access to education, as empowering girls benefits entire communities.
Breaking Barriers for Girls’ Education
By Mary Adut
In many communities, girls are still denied the chance to go to school simply because of cultural beliefs that prioritize boys’ education. But education is a powerful tool that can benefit both boys and girls. It opens doors, challenges societal norms, and drives progress.
I advocate for gender equality in education because both boys and girls are crucial to the development of our nation. Girls, just like boys, can become leaders, doctors, engineers, or even the president. But for that to happen, we need to ensure that girls have the same opportunities as boys to get an education.
It’s time to break down the barriers limiting girls’ access to education. When we educate girls, we’re not only helping them shape their futures—we are creating a better future for everyone. Let’s support equal education opportunities for all children because educating girls empowers entire communities.
The voices of these Young Reporters serve as a powerful reminder that education is not only about attending school—it’s about unlocking opportunities, challenging social norms, and building a brighter future for all. The UNICEF Young Reporters’ Back-to-School campaign is a call to action. It urges all stakeholders, from governments to communities, to prioritize education and ensure every child has the chance to learn and thrive. Let’s invest in education today because it holds the key to a brighter tomorrow.
