A severe shortage of teachers has hit public schools in Kapoeta County of Eastern Equatoria State, threatening the quality of education.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj last Thursday, David Eriga, the secretary general of the defunct Kapoeta State said several public schools are facing the issue of teacher shortages.
“Our biggest problem in education is that the number of teachers is small yet schools are many in Kapoeta. There are many people and the previous census did not capture the entire Kapoeta,” said Eriga.
He added, “There are enough schools, but no teachers”.
The official said he is optimistic that peace would return to the country after President Salva Kiir relinquished the 32 states.
“The good news is that peace has come and the state is going to be one which means government will bring some teachers from neighboring states to come and help the existing few,” said Eriga.
“I think the new government will work on this,” he added.
Separately, the government official pointed out that people in the greater Kapoeta areas often face challenges of water during dry seasons.
“Last year, due to climate changes, harvest was very poor and as such we are worried hunger will become an issue in greater Kapoeta,” he explained.
Eriga urged the government to install water catchments and increase the number of boreholes in some areas to solve the water problem.