Lakes state government to establish four new secondary schools

June 27, 2012 (RUMBEK) – The Lakes state government is set to establish four new senior secondary schools to accommodate the increasing number of students studying at the secondary level.

Lakes state minister of information and communication, Charles Badiri Mayen, announced in a news conference today that the state government has established a marked increase in the number of students studying at secondary level and therefore needs more classrooms and well qualified teachers.

The new schools will be built, with the Government of South Sudan’s assistance, at Riak-dor, Akot, Pachong and Nyang.

A report published in April by the former UK prime minister, Gordon Brown, revealed that of the countries for which data is available, South Sudan has the worst level of secondary education enrolment. Also, less than five percent of girls in South Sudan complete primary education; and in some parts of the country there are 200 students to every teacher.

After more than two decades of civil war, woeful under-investment under the former rule of Khartoum and statehood achieved only last year, much of South Sudan’s infrastructure is in urgent need of development.

Riak-dor is already hosts a primary school famed for having leading state politicians amongst in its alumni.

Badiri denied claims that historic primary school would have its name changed to “Rumbek Town Secondary School” to accommodate the changes. He said there would be no change of name.

He explained that as well as Riak-dor, Akot Primary and Rumbek Central County will be upgraded to secondary school statuses. Also, Rumbek Town Secondary will merge with Riak-dor Secondary School.

(ST)