Jonglei’s education minister alarmed by school closures

September 13, 2014 (BOR) – The general education minister in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, Tut Kuony has decried the high numbers of schools closed in the region, disclosing that only 52 were in operation.

“In Bor, we have 29 schools, in Pibor we have 2 schools operating, and in Pochalla there are 18 schools,” Kuony told reporters in the state capital, Bor on Tuesday.

“In there, we have a school that belongs to Jonglei and the enrolment is 1,110 pupils there”, said the minister.

Over 2,000 primary leaving examination pupils who sat last year’s national exams had their papers burnt before they were marked.

The minister, however, said those affected had been asked to voluntarily join secondary schools with arrangements underway to have them re-examined at the end of this year.

“We call all the candidates to join secondary [school] for year one and they prepare themselves to sit the [primary leaving] exams so that they have the certificates”, said Kuony.

The minister stressed that those who fail exams would be discontinued.

LOW GIRLS’ TURNOUT

Kuony also expressed concerns over low turn-out among girls in schools, with insecurity and displacements cited as major factors.

He proposed that measures be taken by local authorities to ensure more girls get enrolled in schools through awareness creation.

“We want to change the mindset of our people towards girls, creating model schools to accommodate top girls,” said Kuony.

Force marriages, cultural beliefs and lack of support were also cited as key factors contributing to low girls’ turn-out in Jonglei schools.

(ST).