Duk County in Jonglei State received two schools, primary and secondary, at a handover ceremony held at the county headquarters in Duk Padiet town on Monday.
The schools were donated by the Christian NGO Christian Mission for Development (CMD).
While speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Mabil Malual Mabil, the county education director, could not hide his joy as they received a secondary school for the first time since the country’s independence in 2011.
“I am very happy for the handover done by CMD today. We received an 8-block primary school and a 4-block secondary school. For the first time, our children will not go outside Duk for secondary education,” he said.
Malual pointed out that they will work with all their partners to ensure the sustainability of the learning institutions.
Several students were elated and said that they do not have to travel to far-off places to seek education.
Maria Achiek Manyok, a student in the second year of her secondary education, said: “I am happy for us to receive a new school. Before, we had to travel to places like Bor or go for evening classes in the primary school here. So, we will enjoy this independence celebration.”
Another student, Thon Chitim Deng, said life was not easy without a secondary school as they had been forced to seek education outside the county far from their parents and endure hardship in the process.
For his part, Elijah Manyok Ayiei, the Duk County Executive Director, welcomed the donations as an improvement to access to education.
“For the first time in our history, we have a secondary school-Padiet Secondary School. Also, being handed over to us now is a primary school. We are happy because our children will continue with their studies here in the county,” he said.
He, however, called for the extension of support outside Dukpadiet and Dukpayuel towns, saying the school-age children there remain cut off.
James Machar, CMD’s education officer in Duk, said they built the two schools to ensure that education is accessible to all the children in the county and that they will continue supporting the education sector.