Authorities in the Lakes State ministry of education and instructions in Rumbek on Monday launched a back-to-school campaign.

While officiating the ceremony, Governor Rin Tueny Mabor said education is the first priority in Lakes State.

“Education is the number one priority in Lakes State and we must compete next year to be number one in the whole country,” he said. “We need quality education and we need qualified teachers. I will protect you and your life and I will work with everyone, small or big, to make sure that there is quality education in Lakes State.”

He said education remains a priority area for the government of South Sudan.

“We have passed from insecurity to peace and what next is education which is a priority for Lakes State and remains a priority of the government of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said.

James Mabor Ikai, an Oxfam education officer in Lakes State, said he is happy that Governor Tueny has embarked on fighting for education and particularly the education for girls in Lakes State.

Meanwhile, the Lakes State education minister, Nelson Makoi Makur, thanked the governor for providing security in the state.

“We thank Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for providing security in Lakes State so that children can have access to quality education,” he said.