Pupils at 21 primary schools in Koch County of Unity State take their lessons under trees, struggling with morning chills, enduring rains and the scorching afternoon sun.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, students from Zarbor Primary School have expressed the hardships they face due to this inadequate learning environment.
James Gatluak, a student at Zarbor Primary School, attributed the prevalence of learning under trees to the lack of attention from the authorities to improve education in the state.
“I used to attend Zarbor Primary School daily, learning under trees,” he said. “Our school’s enrollment is decreasing because we have to go back home when it rains. I am perplexed by the lack of attention from our state government. Unity State has poor communication with teachers, and access to teachers in Koch County is challenging.”
Mose Bishop, the headteacher at Zarbor Primary School, also lamented the situation. He expressed his concerns about the lack of sufficient schools constructed in Koch County, making it extremely difficult for pupils to learn under trees, especially during the rainy season.
He emphasized the urgent need for classrooms to protect students’ exercise books and highlighted the importance of constructing additional primary schools in the area.
“This situation has persisted since before South Sudan gained independence,” he explained. “Our schools urgently require support from partners like World Relief for construction.”
The headteacher called upon the government of Unity State to take immediate action in constructing the remaining 22 primary schools that have been neglected since the country’s independence. He emphasized that this is crucial for providing students with a conducive learning environment.
“We face challenges in obtaining school supplies due to poor road accessibility between Bentiu and Koch County. However, the situation has recently improved as the road has been reopened,” he added.
Gatluak Gatpart, the Education Director General of Koch County, acknowledged the existence of schools that have not been constructed since the country’s independence. Out of a total of 32 primary and secondary schools, only 10 primary schools and one secondary school have been built, while the remaining 21 primary schools continue to operate under trees.
“The schools that still lack proper infrastructure include Leek Primary School, Zarbor Primary School, Nuorbor Primary School, and others,” Gatpart revealed.
He urged the government of Unity State, particularly the Ministry of General Education and international partners like the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), to collaborate and construct the remaining schools that are currently operating under trees.