Kiir demands competitive higher education standard

By Ngor Arol Garang

December 26, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — South Sudan President General Salva Kiir Mayardit has directed the regional Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to come up with legislation enforcing adherence to required completive standards in higher learning institutions to attain excellence.

He said it is imperative to make the region’s education system comparable by matching standards to those of other countries in the region and beyond.

Kiir was speaking to number of university teaching assistants and professors who paid him a Christmas visit at his residence in Juba, saying the legislation is vital, especially with the growing need of number of higher learning institutions.

The head of southern Sudan administration said high standards of education will attract students both from within and outside the region.

“Our children used to travel out of the region seeking better education system in eastern African countries because there was war, this can be addressed if parliament legislate strong policy,” he said.

He pledged to offer support to the southern Universities. This is why cabinet meetings resolved to give priorities to security, education and agriculture in the draft budget of the 2010, he adds.

The President said southern populace not him can prove that ministry of education has made tremendous progress in the provision of education in the recent past, this trend should be encouraged.

Some of our children from all states are currently studying abroad on government scholarship, he said mentioning Egypt, Southern Africa and indeed all Eastern Africa countries except Burundi.

He went further to say that his government has put in place enabling policies that allow individuals and organizations to set up educational institutions without difficulties.

The government is encouraging the concept of public-private partnership which should be a platform for economic development he said; adding he is happy that the southern universities are currently run by indigenous who are showing interest to develop them with financial assistance from government.

Such initiatives deserve support as it is clear that those behind it did not wait for government but were driven by the will to succeed, he stressing that what his government has achieved in four years is remarkable and something that should be appreciated.

President Kiir said the impact that university education has made on the few southern Sudan people should not be underestimated stressing university education should reach out to all corners of the region in coming years despite many challenges facing the regional government.

(ST)