South Sudan recruits more female teachers in schools

By Ngor Arol Garang

May 17, 2010 (WUNROK) — The regional government of southern Sudan has recruited more female teachers in most schools across the region this year.

“Reports and statistics we have from all ten southern states show we have this year recruited and deployed more female teachers than in the previous years,” professor Job Dhoruai, minister of education, science and technology, told reporters at press briefing in his office in Juba today.

Figures extended to Sudan Tribune from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology indicate that government of southern Sudan has employed 124 professional female teachers across the region in a recent recruitment and deployment exercise.

Senior officials of the government of southern Sudan at the Ministry of Education said there is a growing preference for female teachers in most schools across the region. The sources said this is according to a recent region wide research which linked good performance among pupils that are taught by female teachers.

Our observations indicate that the number of female students in teacher training colleges have continued to increase steadily over the past years.

“There is a research study that has actually shown that there is good performance by pupils in schools with more female teachers and in fact classes that are taken by female teachers perform better at exams than those taken by their male teachers. So we are happy that there is a steady increase in the number of females being enrolled in teacher training colleges,” the official who declined to be name said.

Majok Wek Kuany, an official of the government of southern Sudan in Juba commended government for employing more female teachers. He said this will also significantly reduce the teacher-pupil ratio and improve education standards.

“It is commendable that government has employed more female teachers because we had earlier called for this. I think they should also sensitize these teachers to encourage pupils in rural areas to go further than primary school education,” she said.

Majok said there is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to promote girl-child education as it has proved to be a challenge.

“Education for the girl-child has proved to be challenge and we hope that most of them (teachers) will be sent to rural schools where the need for mentorship is most needed,” he said.

Achol Wol Mayen, one of the key women activists in Wunrok, Warrap State, also welcomed the employment of more female teachers because they show more commitment.

She said female teachers being deployed to rural areas are also likely to inspire female pupils who look up to teachers as role models.

“By virtue of being women, female teachers are as good as mothers and exercise more care to pupils. But I am not saying that male teachers are not doing anything,” she clarifies.

She said government must further support and encourage rural teachers as this is the key to delivering quality education to the rural population.

(ST)