Girls dropping out of education in Rumbek

By Manyang Mayom

February 19, 2011 (KAMPALA) – Education in Lakes state faces the challenge of a high dropout rate of girls from learning institutions according to Robinson Odong Wani, the Education Field Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek.

In his report to the just concluded 13th annual diocesan assembly, Odong stated that there are many girls leaving school before finishing their studies, adding that it is a concern for not only the Church but also the Lakes state ministry of education and other stakeholders.

Odong further said that the matter has been a topic of discussion in meetings organized by the education ministry, revealing that local culture is one of the factors cited as a cause of high dropout rate of girls from schools.

However, he also said that education officials have been cited as part of the problem, clarifying that there are examples of officials within the ministry of education who have either married minors or married off their underage daughters.

Odong also reported that some teachers serving in diocesan Comboni schools, face financial discrimination because of the erroneous claim that the Catholic diocese of Rumbek is financially endowed thanks to multiple donors and school fees paid by pupils and that it can afford to pay well all its teachers.

He urged the school administrators to be financially accountable and transparent, explaining that this will help clear the misconception that the Church has too much money.

Odong further said that the ministry of education expects the diocesan school to “strictly” follow the school calendar given by the ministry, specifying that 1 March has been set as the official beginning of the new academic year.

He asked the Church Personnel to abide by the regulations given by the ministry.

A meeting is scheduled for next month in Juba between the Churches and the government to discuss the collaboration between the state and the Church in education programs.

Meanwhile, Good News Radio in partnership with Mercy Beyond Borders, last week launched a weekly program called Give Girls A Chance, a series of pre-recorded and live programs aimed at promoting girl’s education.

Education training

A training that kicked off in Rumbek last Monday targeting education officials in Lakes state concluded on Thursday.

The training brought together education officials from the counties of Rumbek East, Rumbek Central and Wullu and was organized by Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction (SSIRI) which is a department of Education Development Centre (EDC).

Addressing the participants at the close of the training, Lakes state director-general at the ministry of education, Kongor Deng Kongor criticized the duration of the training, stating that five days was not enough time for such a workshop.

He called upon the education officials to show more dedication and commitment during this academic year than ever before, cautioning against absenteeism.

He also urged education officials to build peace and foster reconciliation, advocating for consistency in their teaching profession.

However, William Kochie who spoke on behalf of the participants assured the education director-general that they had profited from the training, adding that the knowledge received during the training will be put to good use for the good of the community.

Kochie appealed to EDC to continue working with the education officials to ensure complete implementation of education programs.

Soon after the official conclusion of the workshop, Kochie said that the training enabled them know the role of the teachers in the radio program called “The Learning Village”, besides their responsibilities as education officials at all levels of the education administration at state level.

Some 30 education officials attended the training.

(ST)