The education minister in South Sudan's Northern Bahr al Ghazal state has dismissed reports alleging he personally spearheaded the mandatory instruction of Dinka language in schools.

Reports have emerged from several ethnic Jurchol people, also known as Luo, from Northern Bahr al Ghazal claiming the state minister of education Valentino Achak Deng has pushed for teaching Dinka language in schools.

Teaching one language over others may violate South Sudan's 2011 transitional constitution which gives parity to all ethnic and cultural communities.

Achak denied the charges on Wednesday, saying a man named Peter Lual Uchala has been spreading false information that he is trying to promote Dinka language in schools.

“Peter Lual Uchala is claiming that teaching of Dinka language has been enforced on Jurchol in Northern Bahr al Ghazal State. He is calling this an attempt by the Dinka to marginalize the Jurchol in Aweil. I am not aware of this development in the state, but the young man seemed fixed on the issue so much that he has started calling me names and is busy ethnically profiling me. What I know is that I will be the last person to marginalize anybody on earth," Achak said.

Related:

Luo condemn mandatory Dinka language instruction (23 Feb.)