The authorities in Jonglei State have unveiled plans to establish 40 new public secondary schools aimed at significantly increasing access to free education across the state.
The new schools, which will commence enrolling students in February, are set to be distributed among the nine counties, offering thousands of learners an opportunity to continue their education.
The announcement was made by Jonglei State Minister of General Education and Instruction Gordon Koang Bar who emphasized that the initiative is part of a larger effort by the state government to ensure education is more accessible to students, particularly those in rural and remote areas.
In a recent ministerial order, Koang directed the establishment of 40 senior secondary schools across the nine counties, which are expected to serve as a critical resource for many students who currently endure long distances and logistical challenges in pursuing secondary education.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Minister Koang explained that the decision to open new schools was in direct response to public demand for educational services.
“In those nine counties, you may get only two secondary schools in some counties,” he explained. “This year when we received the list of primary 8 candidates, it compelled the state’s general education ministry to establish more secondary schools.”
Minister Koang added that the majority of children in remote areas do not have access to secondary education, and the creation of these schools would bridge the gap.
As the state prepares for the opening of the new schools, many are awaiting further information on how the government will manage the logistics of this large-scale expansion, particularly regarding teacher recruitment, infrastructure development, and resource allocation. Challenges such as these are expected to be critical in determining the success of the initiative.
The opening of these new secondary schools comes at a time when the education sector in South Sudan faces numerous challenges, including a lack of infrastructure, insufficient educational materials, and teacher shortages. However, the move has been met with optimism, as it demonstrates a commitment by the state government to improve educational opportunities for young people.
The opening of the 40 schools is expected to be a transformative step for the education system in Jonglei State, offering new pathways for students to pursue higher education and career opportunities.