South Sudan to conduct teachers’ headcount next week

March 5, 2008 (JUBA) — Southern Sudan ministry of Education will conduct next week a teachers’ headcount initiative in the ten states of the south. All the stakeholders are urged to participate in the operation.

The purpose of the headcount is to ensure that Southern Sudan’s teachers are paid what they are due, when they are due it. Also it will facilitate teachers’ training, enabling them to better professionals.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Government of Southern Sudan will carry out this important exercise between 10th – 20th, March, 2008 in cooperation with State Ministries of Education.

The ministry said the teachers will gather in their schools to be registered by the enumerators. It further requested them to consult county and payam authorities about which day they should be on stand by.

During the pre- and post war the education sector has experienced a lot of challenges. A whole generation has missed out on adequate basic education, for reasons including lack of teacher professional development, insecurity, hunger and health hazards among others.

Learning has taken place in makeshift structures, churches, cattle camps and many other such unconducive environments. In particular, lack of teachers’ remuneration, hence voluntary teaching, has contributed to poor standards of education.

Furthermore, despite the goodwill of the ministry of education in southern Sudan, communities and the NGOs, giving incentives to teachers and some learning materials to pupils, sustainability and ownership of education has not been achieved.

(ST)