Abyei chief administrator explains vitality of education for growth
June 14, 2010 (ABYEI) – The Chief Administrator of the oil rich region of Abyei, Deng Arop Kuol, has stressed the vitality of education for social and economic growth of the nation.
Kuol made the remarks while inspecting a school being built by UNICEF at Agok during which he explained to the pupils paraded to receive him the importance to individuals and to the nation at large.
He pointed out that because educated people become leaders, Abyei needs future educated people from such pupils to unlock its social and economic opportunities.
“Do not take education as alternative to escaping parental assignments to cultivate, cook and look after cattle among other activities but take it as an assignment with committment to changing your own life and future of your country,” he told them.
He said his administration is concerned that most children in rural communities do not have access to education. “This is why my administration attaches importance of education to all administrative activities and plans because, I seriously believe there are still thousands if not millions of youths and children who are out of school because they are geographically disadvantaged.”
Education is the key to economic development of any country, he further explained, adding that without it there would be no growth he earlier on mentioned.
While registering his gratitude to UNICEF and other UN agencies helping his administration in renovation and building of physical infrastructure of the war torn region of Abyei, he also encouraged teachers who voluntarily accepted to teach pupils under tree for the last years to continue with the spirit.
“Your acceptance to teach children under trees without pay during the war shows your insincere commitments and determinations to wholeheartedly serve your nation. This is patriotism. You are no more than a person who hold gun. You are equal in the national interest because you are doing things needed most by the nation only that a soldier protects and you educate,” explained the Chief Administrator.
The school being built in Agok is one of the schools under UNICEF education programs in the region. UNICEF has built more schools in Abyei town and other areas. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has also renovated and built more police stations and judiciary offices in the region.
UNICEF helped built more schools in the oil contested region of Abyei including Abyei girls’ school in the centre of the town; a school which has seen the implementation of the re-entry system, where a number of girls, who have previously dropped out of school, are re-admitted.
Chol Mijak Kuol, a primary teacher said most of the children in rural villages are determined to pursue their education only that their lessons are sometimes interrupted by rains while learning under trees. “With building of such schools by development partners such as UNICEF, I believe all children in the rural villages who are determined to go ahead with their education will now have a chance to complete high school education,” he said.
He further added that enrolment of school going age children will increase because there will be no fear of rains interrupting lessons. Rural schools will receive increment in enrolment because most of the parents do not afford sending their children to schools outside the area because of economic hardships, said Kuol.
Mijak also said Agok has a high school and it is Abyei administration in collaboration with local chiefs and youth to encourage children in the area attend it instead of traveling far for secondary education. He urged the parents to stop forcing their children into early marriages.
This project will help to reduce early marriages and it is the duty of parents and guardians to ensure that their children go to school. A country that aspires to rise to its full potential needs to promote girl child education, Kuol added.
Acting Chief, Mijak Kuol, said he is happy that for the first time his area has a functioning high school. “I am very happy that God has answered our prayers with a gift of high school to our children. Our children together with their teachers have suffered a lot under trees,” he said.
The building of a school and establishment of high school is therefore a great achievement because it will reduce movement to far places to look for education. It has also relieved us from buying exercise books to replace those destroyed by rains to our children, Chief Mijak Kuol further added.
He appealed to both administration and UNICEF to consider electrifying the High School and all the basic schools in his area. Mohamed Najim, a local engineer hired by a local contractor building the school on behalf of UNICEF, said development is only possible if private institutions work in close collaboration with the government.
The construction of this school was a success because government has created a favorable environment for NGOs to operate; he said commending efforts of the chief and local population for having managed to mobilize supports for construction of the school.
“This community is very nice community. People in this community are ever helping in the building of this school. They are friendly and always available whenever we ask for their assistance,” said a local engineer.
(ST)