The citizens of Eastern Equatoria State have expressed gratitude for the steadfast support provided by the Chinese government in promoting education across the country and urged for more scholarships for students from the grassroots to study abroad.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Mrs. Davidika Ikai Grasiano, a resident of Torit Town, commended the Chinese for producing textbooks, which have significantly eased the learning process for children and alleviated the financial burden on parents who previously struggled to purchase necessary educational materials.
While many educational institutions are concentrated in Juba, the broader educational collaboration between China and South Sudan has involved initiatives like textbook printing and scholarships, benefiting students from Eastern Equatoria and other states.
“I am thankful to the Government of China for printing textbooks, as education is essential for life. This support relieves us parents from the financial strain of buying textbooks, especially given our current economic challenges,” Ikai said. “By sending children on scholarship to China, it becomes a partnership between the governments of South Sudan and China. Even if parents contribute a small amount, the government needs to facilitate quality education for our children.”
“I encourage the Chinese government to prioritize education in South Sudan, as it is a crucial investment in our future,” she added.
Ikai said establishing nursery and primary schools would greatly benefit in laying a strong foundation for children.
For his part, Mr. Motto Samson highlighted the previous shortage of textbooks that hindered effective learning and expressed appreciation for China’s efforts in increasing textbook availability.
“The textbooks printed by the Chinese government have positively impacted our education system. With these resources, students can actively engage in their lessons,” he said. “The scholarships provided have significantly benefited students, enabling them to return with fresh perspectives to contribute to our country’s development.”
“It is also essential for the Chinese government to consider supporting teachers, as they cannot perform at their best without adequate support,” Motto added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph Taban appealed to the Chinese government to help enhance higher learning institutions in the state.
He emphasized the importance of equal access to educational opportunities, expressing concern that some scholarships tend to favor relatives and friends of those in higher authority, inadvertently leaving students from less privileged backgrounds at a disadvantage.
“Bringing more universities to Eastern Equatoria State would greatly benefit our youth. It is crucial to restore scholarship opportunities in our state so that we can have the same advantages as students in other regions,” he said. “Many students, after completing their ordinary levels, find themselves limited to the Torit Health Science Institute due to the lack of support for studying abroad, as those in power may overlook the needs of the less fortunate.”
Overall, the citizens of Eastern Equatoria State expressed a strong desire for continued collaboration and support from the Chinese government, with the hope that enhanced educational opportunities will be made available to all students, regardless of their background.