Students from eight schools in Bentiu and Rubkona areas in Unite State have been left stranded with their learning institutions submerged in floodwaters, a local official said.
Stephen Tot Koang, the state minister of education, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that eight primary and secondary schools in the two areas have been affected by the floods.
The government official revealed that the eight schools submerged in water include Nhialdiu Secondary School, Nyanramni, Diel, Panjay, Rubnyigai, temporary leaning space in Wanjay, Bentiu A and B Secondary School, and Good Hope Primary School.
"I have sent a committee to make assess the areas submerged in floodwaters across the state, but they have not yet reported back," Minister Koang said. "There will be a rise in the number of pregnancies among schoolgirls this year due to the lack of school activities caused by floods".
Bigoa Kuong, a student at Bentiu Secondary School, said floods have made their school inaccessible to students. "This flooding is too much. It has submerged many schools and government institutions in the state headquarters," he said.
Peter Bol, a teacher at Bilnyang Primary School, said their school in the area is no longer in use because it has been flooded. "There is no standing ground in Bilnyang Primary School. The whole Bilnyang Primary School has been submerged in water," said Peter Bol." Our children have stopped coming to school for learning".
Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in most parts of South Sudan this year, affecting more than 400,000 people so far, according to United Nations estimates, while the rainy season continues.