Over 9,000 teachers employed at government-funded primary and secondary schools in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are protesting after going without salaries and allowances for thirteen months.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, several teachers demanded payment for the months of October and November 2023, as well as for the period from January to November 2024.
Ajoh Bol Akoon, a teacher at Aweil National Secondary School, shared her frustration, saying that teachers have been waiting for their wages for so long that they have almost given up hope.
Despite the financial hardship, Akoon emphasized their continued commitment to education. “We have been raising concerns about the delay in salaries for a long time, but now we’ve stopped expecting anything,” she said. “We decided to volunteer and continue teaching, not because we are paid on time, but for the nation.”
She further explained, “Yes, we are contributing to the country’s development. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t still be teaching students for free, especially when teachers at government-funded schools don’t charge students fees.”
Geng Garang, a teacher from Warkuac Primary School in Aweil town, described the severe hardship caused by the ongoing salary delay. “The delay in teacher salaries is really bad. We have now gone thirteen months without pay. Our families are suffering because we can’t afford to meet our basic needs,” Garang said.
John Atak Tong, another teacher, noted that many of his colleagues have been forced to leave their posts at government schools in search of alternative employment. “The situation is really affecting most teachers,” Atak explained. “If you visit any government school, you’ll see that many teachers have left. Some have joined NGOs or private companies because they can’t afford to wait any longer for their salaries.”
An official from the state Ministry of General Education and Instruction, who requested anonymity, explained that the delay in salaries was due to crises affecting South Sudan.
However, the official assured that the government is aware of the teachers’ situation and that their pay would be released soon. “The global crises have impacted South Sudan, and that’s why there are no salaries at the moment,” the official said. “But the government is aware of the situation, and I believe teachers will eventually receive their salaries.”
The official also revealed that over 9,000 teachers work at government-supported primary and secondary schools across Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.