Education campaign starts in Jonglei’s Twic East county
August 4, 2015 (MABIOR) – The education directorate in Twic East county of South Sudan’s Jonglei state has launched a massive campaign to counter increasing rates of school drop-outs in the region.
“Parents using their children at homes, in the markets and at the cattle camps, instead of sending them to schools. These had reduced enrollments in the schools. To stop this, we started education awareness in the churches, and public gatherings where we talked about the important of education”, said Mayen.
“Once children leave for lunch at 12:00, they fail to come back at 2:00 each day because the parents don’t give lunch and send them back on time, and that is supposed to their contribution”, he added.
The campaign, Mayen said, would be extended in phases to reach politicians and intellectuals, while urging them to support education.
The education director said teachers needed more time in schools.
“Our official hours are from 8:00AM-5:00PM that is from Monday to Friday. A teacher must give his lessons without failure,” he stressed.
DECLINE IN ENROLLMENTS
Twic East county has, in recent years, experienced a decline in pupils’ enrollment in schools. In 2014, for instance, 32,803 pupils (18,695 boys and 1, 4108 girls) enrolled in schools compared to 19,591(11,617 boys and 7,974 girls in 2015, education statistics show.
“The communities are reluctant to send their children to schools,” said Mayen. He further disclosed that only 33 out of the 38 primary schools were currently operating.
“The learning environment is actually not conducive for learners. There are no benches, no desks and the buildings are almost collapsing, and others are learning in the open”, he further stressed.
(ST)