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. "This is a milestone in safeguarding our school children and learning institutions. This document is inclusive of peacebuilding education, life skills, citizenship in the curriculum. There has already been a near-doubling of outpatient admissions in the last weeks, likely from malaria infections or reinfections, Mr Oyens said. Find the latest Ideas, Multimedia content, Free courses, publications and reports. Minister of General Education and Instructions Awut Deng Achuil during the reopening of schools launch May 3rd. At the same time, we have seen growing evidence of the negative impact closed classrooms have had on children, including abuse, exploitation, child marriage and early pregnancies. Phased Reopening of Schools in South Sudan Nation-wide Assessment Dataset - SSEC - 2017-11. Come June, primary healthcare services may no longer be available for women and children, the elderly and those living with disabilities. VCG. Phase 1 includes the candidate classes, Primary 8 and Senior 4, and will start the first week of October 2020. More than 800,000 people in South Sudan might lose access to health services if humanitarian funding is not met: https://t.co/94dCWnnttD pic.twitter.com/YB1EY7AGib. Describing the "joy" felt by children and aid workers as classrooms reopened on Monday after more than 14 months of COVID . We applaud for the plan of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to gradually reopen schools in the coming weeks and encourage the National COVID-19 Taskforce to support the plan. At school, students learn social and emotional skills and it'sa safe place for the most vulnerable. Schools across the country were frequently closed due to fighting and the threat of violence, and hundreds of schools and other civilian assets were looted and destroyed. War in Sudan | Evacuees back on South African soil. 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. She caution students to keenly observed health prevention measures in class. 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. There is only one functional teacher training college in the country to meet the demand for training teachers. 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. Occupying school is a thing of the past. Daniel Athien wrote his senior 4 exams during the pandemic and is excited to join the university. "When schools reopen, we will notice a reduced number of female students, she says with sadness in her eyes. Phase 1 includes the candidate classes, Primary 8 and Senior 4, and will start the first week of October 2020. 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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UNICEF is working with the Ministry of General Education and Instructionto prepare schools for the reopening and we are excited to note that this year will be the first with the new South Sudan curriculum. This has been due to a growing consensus that both the formal and informal economies cannot afford to remain shut down indefinitely. There is increasing evidence that children and schools are not the main drivers of the epidemic across countries. Students tried to keep learning at home,but Wendy Ahonda (16)explains it was no easy feat. Monday, August 30, 2021. The guidelines are meant to protect schools from military use during and after armed conflicts. In South Sudan, about 3 in 5 children are not in school. Several UN agencies, Embassies as well as education actors were represented at the event. I believe we are going to excel in the exams, and I am glad we have made it," Windy says with a grin. protection of civilian (PoC) and ad hoc IDP sites (South Sudan Education Cluster, n.d.), while also working to reopen schools in areas where the security situation had stabilized. Yes, children are at risk of infection, and yes, that is terrifying for parents. Fewer that one in 10 children has access to child protection services, the veteran UNICEF worker said, noting that between January and March this year, the agency scaled up treatment to more than 50,000 children who were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Now, its time for Lawrence and the rest of the children to return to school. Prolonged school closures are likely to cause students to regress academically. The event was graced by the Vice President in charge of Service Cluster, Abdelbagi Ayii and the Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng. The first two years of the GESP are framed as a transitional plan that is expected to rapidly increase enrollment along with building new infrastructure, supplying basic teaching and learning materials, regularizing teacher salary and training teachers to cope with the increased enrollment. The state building and peace building efforts of the national plans put high demand on the education system to expand fast, reduce inequity, and provide appropriate teaching. In fact, there is no known evidence on the correlation between the rate of disease transmission and whether or not schools remain open or closed. John is one of the beneficiaries of school materials handed The guidelines to be followed will be issued by the concerned ministries.. But the countrywide reopening of schools in May 2021 is an opportunity to secure the future of children in South Sudan. school building disinfection; guidelines, policies and safety measures to reopen schools ; back-to-school campaign to encourage students to return to school ; 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. Monday 3 May was a special day for millions of children in South Sudan. This is our responsibility as parents to ensure that our children are encouraged and supported to go back to school, the minister stressed. Business is resuming. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Also, nothing can replace face-to-face interaction with teachers or peers. A joint statement by UNICEF and UNESCO argued that children and schools were not the predominant drivers of the spread of the pandemic. The crisis in South Sudan has impeded education for most of the countrys children. Private and public institutions including primary, secondary, and universities, were permitted to resume learning under COVID-19 restricted measures. The Vice President further encouraged stakeholders to embark on awareness and action campaigns to promote the protection of schools and other learning institutions in South Sudan. Save the Children, partners and the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs express commitment to keep schools safe and urged all parties to the armed conflict to refrain from actions that impede childrens access to education. Schools in South Sudan were shut down for 14 months to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Students, teachers and parents look ahead as senior 4 exams finish. "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." Our work on the Sustainable Development Goals. Lawrence Mathew (15), a senior three student says also he has been struggling; "We have been out of school and idle at home for over a year, sometimes we revise our past lessons, but we are losing hope that our classes will reopen.". School reopened on Monday in South Sudan after closure for more than one year due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). As children in South Sudan await the re-opening of schools, WFP is mitigating against the impact of the pandemic on children's health and nutrition by providing take-home rations for 23,000 children in the most food-insecure counties. The basics of the sector administration and management are rudimentary, which started to develop, along with the rest of the civil service in the country, only after the 2005 Peace Agreement. United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office 22 September 2020. This comes on top of the 2.2 million children out of school before the pandemic hit South Sudan. (END). It says the country now records a decline of three percent of cases daily. The province is the largest recipient of the nutrition programme in South Africa, with a budget of more than R2 billion to cater for about 2.4 million learners across 5 400 . 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. JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 - UNICEF and UNESCO welcome the decision of the Government to start reopening of schools in South Sudan. He noted that schools will only operate at half capacity as preventive measures against COVID-19. I work for a government agency The government . The Declaration is expected to also protect students, teachers, schools, and other learning institutions from some of the worst effects of armed conflicts. Juba School has reopened in East Africas youngest nation after closure for more than one year, despite the third surge of COVID-19 pandemic. "To ensure what is in the book is understood and put into practice for the sake of our children, dedicated individuals must be tasked to disseminate the guidelines [and] communities need to be included in the safe school campaigns because, during floods, schools are often occupied by the affected communities," she stressed. "Overstaying at home is embarrassing us and erasing away the . Since most of those occupying the schools are armed forces, the Ministry of Defense as a key stakeholder was encouraged to commit themselves to the document. Makuei said that the report observed that the level of infection has reduced and there have been no more cases in the last few weeks., After that study, it was decided that schools and higher learning institutions should re-open at times to be fixed by the General and Higher Education ministries. UNICEF is working with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to prepare schools for the reopening and we are excited to note that this year will be the first with the new South Sudan curriculum. [Photo: Radio Tamazuj, South Sudan launches school reopening across the country. South Sudan had the first conference on Safe School Declaration (co-convenience meeting). Government has finally - Salaam Schools - South Sudan | Facebook Even the teachers are ready to go back to work. As we move ahead it is important to remember how the closure of schools has severely impacted on the well being of children and on the country, and to avoid any new school closures in the future. Noel Kana is one of them, "I am happy to hear that schools will reopen because being idle is not suitable for learners. Both pupils and students were so happy celebrating school re-opening after lifting the lockdown, Your email address will not be published. South Sudan had more than 2,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including more than 45 deaths and more than 1,200 recoveries. The last seven months have been a huge blow for learning but also for protecting children from abuse and exploitation; therefore, we are really pleased with the Governments decision to reopen schools. 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. Joy in South Sudan, as schools reopen after 14-month COVID lockdown And to the children, who have advocated for a return to school so that they can resume with their education and meet their teachers and peers again, we say that their message was heard; they also have a role to play to keep their schools safe. Schools reopening date set to be decided today | Monitor But public expenditure is one of the worlds lowest for education. These include handwashing, stations, WASH supplies, thermometers, reusable masks, and menstrual hygiene management kits. And what they said, they should continue with it and help our teachers so that we shall continue with our studies, Shantal Dominic said. Meanwhile, the Executive Director of CEF, Chol Gai appreciated the Ministry of Defense, Interior and partners for committing to the document. The following three years of the GESP are focused on institutionalizing teacher training, school supervision, and expansion of secondary and technical education. The recovery rate was more than 95 per cent in some of the most difficult-to-operate areas of the world, he added. There are reports of children having been engaged in child labour, children roaming the markets looking for work and opportunities, children joining gangs and engaged in crime and substance abuse. Copies were also given to the Ministry of Justice. 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. 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. The General Education Sector Plan (GESP) 2017-2022, titled 'Planning for Safety, Resilience and Social Cohesion', is an effort to contain this stress on the system, and to give the sector a direction towards stability based on data, evidence and financing outlays. The family noise meant she had to study at a neighbour's house or wait until the nighttime snoring stoppedbefore she could open her books. Some of the previous easing of restrictions included reduction of the curfew period, resumption of regional flights and the reopening of markets, shops and bars. But the countrywide reopening of schools in May 2021 is an opportunity to secure the future of children in South Sudan. Monday 3 May was a special day for millions of children in South Sudan. Before the pandemic, 2.8 million children were out of school due to poverty, inequalities, cultural beliefs and nomadic lifestyles. 8 Facts about Education in South Sudan - The Borgen . The government has previously faced criticism for relaxing restrictions despite still registering increases in COVID-19 cases. The longer children stay out of school, the harder it is to get them back to the classrooms. In South Sudan, schools provide more than just academics. UNICEF is thankful for all the support from our trusted Education partners, including Canada, EU/ECHO, Norway, Sweden, the Global Partnership for Education, UKAID and USAID. With the closure of schools, from one day to another, the number of out of school children in South Sudan had almost doubled. Photo Credit: WFP After 14 months, schools in South Sudan reopen Scholar: Africa is not a pawn. A lot happened to children when they were at home. WFP Eastern Africa - 2022 Regional Achievements & Outlook, UNICEF South Sudan Appeal, 2023 Revision 1 (April 2023), WFP South Sudan Situation Report #310, 28 February 2023, Culture, Context and Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons from South Sudan. Social mobilizers will be raising awareness on the reopening of schools and encouraging parents to send their children to school. In a related development, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)warnedon Tuesday that life-saving healthcare for more than 800,000 South Sudanese, may have to be cut if funding is not found urgently. 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. Education in South Sudan | Global Partnership for Education I work for a private sector company The Minister of General Education and Instructions, Awut Deng Achuil reaffirmed her commitment to protecting schools and protecting children. 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. Schools finally reopened their doors after more than 14 months of closures because of COVID-19. South Sudans education system is characterized as a low investment, low capacity, but high demand system. South Sudan's 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. An Indonesian citizen evacuated from Sudan sits in a bus after she arrives at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, April 28, 2023. Candidate classes Primary 8 and Senior 4 returned to school for a 6 day/week programme that will see them work towards examinations in February 2021 and March 2021, respectively. The students and the teachers will also be provided with washable face masks. Newspaper is your news, entertainment, music & fashion website. At the time, Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Thuoi Loi said it was unclear when the virus will be under control and children can safely return to school. 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. 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. Bells are ringingin #southsudan to mark the reopening of schools. I understand that parents might be nervous, but I urge all caregivers to trust that their children are safer at school. Their mental health deteriorates. Mobilizing community and advocating for enrolling more girls. "We are here to declare our commitment to practice the safe school declaration," said Vice President Ayii after handing over copies of the guidelines. Parents are also thrilled to see their children returning to school. South Sudan: Schools Reopen After a Year of Closure It was good enough for us to finish," Daniel Athien (17), a senior 4 student, joyfully expressed after putting down his pencil. 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. UNICEF has been one of many strong advocates for the reopening of schools. The Safe Schools Declaration is, therefore, an inter-governmental political commitment that provides countries the opportunity to express support for protecting students, teachers, schools, and universities from attack during times of armed conflict; the importance of the continuation of education during armed conflict; and the implementation of concrete measures to deter the military use of schools, The Ministry of General Education and Instruction, and Charity and Empowerment Foundation (CEF), with support from Save the Children International developed the guidelines to facilitate the dissemination of the guidelines of the Declaration incorporated into the South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) code of conduct. Hope revived as schools reopen | UNICEF South Sudan Yesterday saw the phased reopening of schools in South Sudan. Time has come to reopen schools in South Sudan - UNICEF UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. . Schools reopening date set to be decided today. Meanwhile, Ms. Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction urged parents and guardians to enroll their children, including pregnant, disability and breast feeding girls. All military members are unconditionally prohibited from occupying schools, interfering with, or disrupting school classes or activities, or using school facilities for any purpose," Angelina said in her directives. We are calling on to the teachers to welcome their pupils back in their classes. Numerous reports speak about child marriages and early pregnancies due to girls being out of school and increased gender-based violence. 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. South Sudan launches 'Safe School Declaration Guidelines' with support Your email address will not be published. What you need to know about the new 2023 SDG 4 Scorecard, Mr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Mr. Julius Banda, UNESCO Representative in South Sudan, Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs. COVID-19: South Sudan's schools set to reopen, minister says All South Africans evacuated from war-torn Sudan back home Schools protect learners from harmful cultural practices and work as an access point for services including water, sanitation and hygiene and food. Furthermore, South Sudan Ministry of Education policy framework has been developed and is now before the cabinet for approval. UNICEF has committed funds and support to the education ministry to distribute equipment allowing schools to adhere to the Covid-19 preventive measures. Ensuring children resume schooling has important benefits beyond academic learning. With support from GPE and UNICEF, the government of South Sudan is making progress in enrolling children against a backdrop of political instability, a struggling economy and armed conflict. 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. Nation-wide Assessment Report - SSEC - 2016-11. South Sudan launches school reopening across the country Share. Also, thousands of children, particularly those living in rural areas, from poorer families or with special needs, rely on schools as a lifeline to meals. An additional . The Minister of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) has just announced that all schools in South Sudan will reopen on 3 May 2021. Several UN agencies, Embassies as well as education actors were represented at the . Speaking during the launch of the event on Monday, the Minister of General Education and Instructions Awut Deng Achuil urged parents to encourage their children to go back to school. I know you want what is best for your children, and right now that is sending them back to school. As the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, the re-opening of schools is a difficult topic to consider. Sources say the reopening of schools could be . Public access to information is a key component of UNESCO's commitment to transparency and its accountability. The whole school erupted into hugging, cheering, and overall joy, knowing that they can join the university and get their degrees. "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. UNESCO is the United Nations Laboratory of Ideas. Together with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, UNICEF, UNESCO and education partners have made a plan for a safe reopening of schools. 2023 Global Partnership for Education. Watch on. There are many ways to take action with UNESCO -everyone can make a difference. . When children are out of school for prolonged periods of time, their exposure to physical, emotional and sexual violence increases. ", UNICEF representative described the launch as a great day for global advocacy initiative to ensure safe space for safe learning.. This time, we worked so hard to complete the syllabus, thanks to our amazing teachers.". Famine isalready onthe doorstepof millions of families in 20 countries, twoUNagencies warned on Tuesday in a reportthat callsfor urgent action to avertrising hunger due to factors such asconflict, climate extremes and the COVID-19 pandemic. I work for an international organization Noel Kana is one of them, "I am happy to hear that schools will reopen because being idle is not suitable for learners. However, nothing can replace face-to face education. South Sudan to reopen schools in October | CGTN Africa In March 2020, all education facilities This is especially true for girls. The plan includes improved water provision to schools, repair of water infrastructure, soap distribution, handwashing stations and sanitary kits. Wendy, a 16-year-old student who completed the recent Senior 4 exams in Juba.