Pupils study under trees in Fangak State: Official

Education officials in South Sudan’s Fangak State say there are many challenges hampering education in the state since its inception in 2015.

Education officials in South Sudan’s Fangak State say there are many challenges hampering education in the state since its inception in 2015.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Thomas Met, the state education minister said the state lacks basic education infrastructure and supplies since the state inception in 2015, hindering the provision of quality education.

He said the situation is exacerbated by the return of families from refugee and internally displaced camps to the state, adding there are only six primary schools operating under trees in the state.

“School premises were destroyed in 2013. Now, children returning to the state with their parents are learning under trees. There are six primary schools in the government-controlled areas in the state. For the two in Ayod town, there are 170 boys and about 45 girls,” he explained.

The education official further revealed that they also lack stationeries and chalkboards, adding there are only 15 volunteer teachers for the six primary schools.

Minister Met is appealing to aid agencies operating in the country to support education in Fangak.