[Juba, South Sudan] Children in South Sudan, who were forced out of school due to poverty, gender discrimination, or conflict, mostly at areas affected by war, such as Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity states are getting a second chance for education. The United Nations Children’s Funds-UNICEF has established a programme called “Back-to-Learning Initiative,” which was launched this year.
Speaking to media, the head of the EU delegation in South Sudan, Stefano Del Leo said, “The campaign targeting 400,000 children is a process, but that requires support from the government, partners, and the local community.”
“We are aware that we are all at the starting point because as we say, school needs infrastructure, teachers, and this is also to be set up together with the international community. And, we have to continue together with the government of South Sudan, and we are partners. We want to share this process because we both believe that the youth are the most important resource of the country.”
The conflict in South Sudan has affected so many families with worse poverty that has forced children out of the schools in South Sudan. The only way to avoid future poverty that might cause future conflict in South Sudan is by taking children to school, so that young generation with an education will love peace and unity. They will develop their resources and have enough for their families and children.
“The government must prioritize education in the country. There must be adequate infrastructure of education with classrooms and books for children, rather than 100 students in one classroom, which makes the learning process difficult. Teachers must be secured and well paid,” stated narrated De Leo.
Meanwhile, more than 50 children at All Saints Kindergarten in Rajaf East Payam, Central Equartoria state have discovered the art of painting and created their first masterpieces at their school. The two-hour art initiative on Friday was spearheaded by the sector South UN female peacekeepers from Rwandese, Ethiopian and Nepalese battalions.
Speaking in the occasion, Nadio, one of the female peacekeepers, said,
“The initiative was aimed to draw public attention to the need for good relations between Rajaf school community and the UN Mission in South Sudan.”
“My name is Nadio and I am from sector south. We want to conduct a drawing and coloring thing [with the children] and just engage them, find out where they are, and just play with them so they can be happy. We are here in Rajaf, and they will be seeing us. We don’t want them to be scared of the military so that we just want to make sure that they are okay with us,” said Nadio.
