The Ministry of Education in Eastern Equatoria State on Tuesday shut down a teachers’ training center in the Imehejek area of Lafon County due to insecurity.
The insecurity began in April when armed men obstructed the path of two humanitarian vehicles belonging to the Norwegian People’s Aid (NCA). These vehicles were transporting participants of a peace dialogue in Lafon County. Tragically, the incident claimed four lives, with four more bodies discovered later in the nearby bush.
Ambrose Oyet Albino, the Acting Director General of the State Ministry of Education, told Radio Tamazuj that the training center will only be reopened in the Imehejek administrative area within Lafon County when the security situation improves.
According to Oyet, 60 teachers registered for the beginning of stage one, terms one and two, are expected to attend training in Torit town.
“The relocation of the teachers training center to Torit is due to the incidents of 29th of April…The government should work together to bring peace to the conflicting community, and when there is security in the area, the training center will go back,” he said.
Meanwhile, Angelo Lodoful, the Payams Education Supervisor in Lafon County, confirmed the closure of the training center, saying some student teachers have already arrived in Torit town to resume training sessions.
He applauded the Norwegian Church Aid for supporting the education and training of teachers in Lafon County and the Imehejek area.
“We need this training. Some teachers have gone to Torit, and some are waiting for the vehicle. Because Torit is safe, I am happy because there is good teaching in Torit, and we are happy because NCA is supporting us fully. They should continue supporting teachers’ training and education,” he said.