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Bor – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Governor of Jonglei State, H.E. Dr. Riek Gai Kok, yesterday received a high-level delegation led by the National Minister of General Education and Instruction, Hon. Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, during an official visit aimed at monitoring the implementation of education reform projects in the state, supported by international development partners.
The delegation included UNICEF’s Country Representative in South Sudan, Mrs. Noala Sicinner, and the Country Engagement Lead for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Mr. Morten Sigsgaard, along with several senior education officials.
During the meeting, the National Minister, Dr. Kuyok, explained that the visit was part of efforts to follow up on the construction of new schools funded by UNICEF, GPE, and the TESS initiative. He noted that these projects form a key component of South Sudan’s National Education Reform Program, which seeks to improve education quality and expand access to learning opportunities across the country.
For his part, Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok praised the ongoing cooperation between the national government and education partners but warned that recurring floods have caused severe damage to schools and disrupted the education process in many areas of the state.
“Many of our schools, including Bor ‘B’ Secondary School, are overcrowded, and our teachers have gone unpaid for months,” he said. “We urge the national government and our partners to act to ensure our children’s right to education.”
The Governor also called for prioritizing teachers’ salaries and providing the necessary resources to sustain learning activities in flood-affected areas.
In the same context, UNICEF Country Representative Mrs. Noala Sicinner reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Education Reform Plan, stating that “UNICEF remains a strong partner in implementing the 2025–2029 education strategy under the theme ‘No Child Should Be Left Behind.’”
Meanwhile, Mr. Morten Sigsgaard from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) confirmed continued collaboration with the Government of South Sudan to expand school construction and strengthen education infrastructure, emphasizing that the goal is to enable students to “build their dreams through education.”
This visit comes at a time when Jonglei State is facing significant environmental and economic challenges that threaten the education sector, even as government efforts continue to rebuild schools and improve conditions for teachers and students.
