Citizens of Kongder County in Aweil State have raised concerns over the lack of secondary schools, saying the area is still lacking a secondary school despite the progress made by primary school pupils.
There are 22 primary schools currently operating in the county.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, the county commissioner, Paul Gong Kuc admitted the challenges facing the education sector in his county, saying most students opt for post-primary school studies.
“Primary education is going on smoothly. There are 22 primary schools, but the problem is about secondary schools,” he explained.
The local official pointed out that the national government launched the construction of a primary school in Gak Rol years back, but cancelled the plan. He revealed that the project for construction of the only secondary school collapsed when the civil war broke out in 2013.
Kuc called for secondary education development to reduce expenses.
The commissioner said many students who complete primary education are unable to access high school, forcing them to relocate to Aweil town, yet their families cannot afford living conditions in Aweil town.
South Sudan's education indicators remain among the worst in the world caused by protracted conflicts and underfunding by the national government.
In 2015, President Salva Kiir divided up South Sudan’s states and counties into smaller units, many counties and payams are left without schools and healthcare facilities.