Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education

By Manyang Mayom

October 26, 2010 (RUMBEK) – Insecurity caused by cattle raiders and militia, lack of equipment and long distances to walk to school have not discouraged students in Lakes state, South Sudan.

China Paul Mayol, a 16 year old first year student in Hope and Resurrection senior secondary school in Atiaba [ward] in Rumbek East County told Sudan Tribune has to walk 15 km to get to school from his village.

Sometimes he has to miss school due to heavy rainfall, when there are clashes between cattle raiders or when there is military activity in the area.

When this happens China says he “feels scared” and remains at home. As well as instability, students in South Sudan face many challenges.

Many pupils in the south have to walk long distances to attend classes, as transport is often poor and teachers are often underpaid and discouraged.

Despite the challenging environment some students like China remain motivated to learn and have big ambitions for the future.

China attends Hope and Resurrection senior secondary school in Atiaba payam [ward] in Rumbek East county. He says that he wants to become a doctor to help Sudan recover from its civil wars.

All areas of Sudan have suffered during the civil war from lack of food, medical care and injustice, he said.

The south’s conflict with the north began even before Sudan gained independence in 1956.

Despite some periods of peace southern movements have fought against various Khartoum governments over political representation, economic marginalization, identity, secularism, religion and resources including oil.

A 2005 peace deal ended the north-south conflict but did not end violence within Sudan.

Cattle rustling, inter-tribal violence and the southern army’s disarmament campaign continue to cause instability.

China hopes that by studying he can become a doctor to help South Sudan.

“I need to become a doctor to save the nation of our people,” he said.

“I came from poor family and I don’t need such situation of poor to continue in South Sudan”.

His mother, Rose, is from Equatoria and his father from Bor, Jonglei state and works as pastor in a church. Rose is a supervisor at Akot payam medical hospital.

His mother says she wants to send him to study in Kenya as he is intelligent but having lost her eldest son she is protective over China. She encouraged all mothers to send their sons and daughters to school.

She said that sometimes as he experiences difficulties with other children on road to school because he is not from Lakes state.

His mother says that as his father is “from Bor and I am from Equatoria” sometimes school boys pick fights with China on his way to school.

“Rumbek East county is not peaceful community – they like to fight quickly without reason that cause clashes,“ said Rose.

China says that his parents hoped he is successful so he can look after them when they are older.

“I will do my best in the future to build them a nice house so that they can forget war […] I know also that my mother suffer a lot in fetching water and cook vegetable[s] to sustain our life during the struggle.”

He said that all students should go to school no matter the challenges.

Hope and Resurrection School deputy headmaster Cleous Bwambale Tinkasimire told Sudan Tribune that the school was very proud of China.

China has always led the class in his behavior and results, averaging over 70% in exams the headmaster said.

He encouraged other students saying they should double their efforts at school and to not return to war saying that, “we have lost a lot of innocent people for unclear reasons”, in southern Sudan.

On 9 January the people of South Sudan will vote in a self determination referendum to decide whether they want to remain as part of a united Sudan or create their own state.

It is widely expected that southerners will vote for secession.

(ST)