The Situation in South Sudan
Over two decades of civil war resulted in the deaths of two million people in the former Sudan, and the displacement of five million. South Sudan became an independent nation on July 7, 2011, following the January referendum and 2010 elections. There is still tension in border regions, and the United Nations maintains a peacekeeping mission in the country.
Much work needs to be done. Education has a critical role to play in advancing peace and security and the wellbeing of South Sudan's people. A UN survey indicates that for the wellbeing of women and children, South Sudan ranks as the worst in the world. According to a recent UNESCO report, fewer than half the country*s primary school age children are in school and fewer than half of those who are in school will complete four years of education. Only about four per cent get to secondary school.
Young girls in South Sudan face extreme disadvantages in education. Today a girl in South Sudan is three times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than to reach grade eight. The low rate of access to education is matched by limited access to basic health care, nutrition, water, and sanitation. Children born in South Sudan are more likely to die before the age of five than they are to complete primary education.
The government of the new Republic of South Sudan is attempting to build schools across the country, but it will take time. Serious efforts can be seen in cities and larger towns such as Juba, Rumbek, and Wāw, but only a limited amount of evidence for this initiative can be found in more remote areas of the country, such as the state of Jonglei, the state in which Duk Padiet is found. Organizations such as Wadeng Wings of Hope must help to make this happen.
- More information:
- UNESCO's South Sudan Education information page.
- UNESCO Policy Paper - Building a better future: Education for an independent South Sudan<./li>
