Jonglei’s eastern district of Pibor has only one functioning school, the Pibor Boys Primary School, with 872 children registered, including about 250 girls.

The county once had dozens of schools: some hard-wall structures, others mud buildings and a few under the shade of large trees.

Today, three schools are reportedly occupied by the military and others are being occupied by returnees, while many teachers have left the county, according to a report by the UN Mission in South Sudan.

An article appearing on the website of the UN peacekeeping mission says, “The main reason for the schools to remain closed… is due to disrepair, lack of infrastructure or … the absence of the teachers.”

At the only functioning school there are five paid teachers, and some volunteers.

Mark Logcho is a 26-year-old teacher who has returned from studies in Kenya. He is one of 14 volunteer teachers providing English language education at the school.

He says, “This one school can’t take the whole population, but I have a team that could do the work and I know of more potential teachers for the area.

“But the truth is we lack the [financial] support. If we can have help, we can do a lot for a lot of people, including the children.”

Boys in military uniform

UNMISS reports that there is a “visible presence of boys wearing green military fatigues” in Pibor.

Some boys are with SSDF-Cobra Faction and others with SPLA, the national army.

The article published by UNMISS also pointed out that there are no prospects for secondary education or vocational training in Pibor County.

“Funding for state infrastructure is urgently needed to prevent further recruitment of under 18 year olds into armies and ensure education is a right that young children can realize without fear,” concludes the article.

Pibor County is located in eastern Jonglei, one of the states most affected by the country’s ongoing civil war, though the county itself has not seen significant direct violence owing to a peace deal between SSDF-Cobra Faction and the government.

But the area is still recovering from local conflicts fought from 2012-2013 between SSDF-CF and the government, and between Murle and Lou Nuer raiders.

Related coverage:

Schools remain closed in Pibor County (24 March)

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