Jonglei: Mayor pushes for teacher pay raise
June 16, 2013 (BOR) – The mayor of Bor town municipality, Nhial Majak Nhial, has pledged to push for a pay raise for teachers, as one way of improving the quality of education in the state.
On Saturday, children from various primary schools in Bor gathered in Bor A primary school to mark African Child Day, held annually to highlight issues facing children across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Nhial pledged to provide an annual pay raise to teachers from his own pocket.
The majority of primary teachers in Jonglei are employed in grade 12 and receive 362 South Sudanese pounds a month.
Nhial said he would personally offer a pay raise to the teachers identified as offering the best standards of education.
He also urged pupils to remain committed to their studies, regardless of the problems they faced.
Children attending the event called on the government to provide them with free quality schools for learning.
Parents are currently asked to foot the bill for their children’s uniforms, examination fees, as well as other monthly financial contributions.
Some parents, who earn less than one dollar per month, are unable to pay the school fees, forcing many children to either discontinue their education or resort to alternative ways of earning money.
Most end up on streets as bag-snatchers and pickpockets.
As part of efforts to lift education levels, the mayor has offered a continuous scholarship to one primary school-aged girl based on her academic achievement.
The recipient – 16-year-old Achii Deng – lost her arm in a car accident in 2006.
Under the full scholarship, Deng will be able to complete her studies in Jonglei at the primary and secondary schools of her choice.
Nhial said he would extend the scholarship to university if Deng graduates from secondary school successfully.
Nhial said Deng had been selected for the scholarship for her commitment to her academic studies.
According to Nhial the girl had become a symbol of determination, highlighting that “disability is not [an] inability”.
Deng told Sudan Tribune that she intended to take full advantage of the opportunity offered to her and plans to continue her studies at university level.
(ST)