Back-to-school campaign launched in Wau

WAU – The South Sudan government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched a 2026 “Back-to-School” campaign in Western Bahr el Ghazal to re-enroll learners affected by conflict and poverty.

The campaign aimed to bring back 2.8 million who dropped out due to conflict or economic hardship, encouraging enrollment in both primary and secondary levels.

Speaking during the launch ceremony on Monday in Wau, Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education, said the campaign also aimed to improve quality education through teacher and learner enrollment.

“I want to promise you this year we are going to pay capitation grants for all government primary schools; we are going to pay capitation grants because we know what capitation grants do to our schools,” Kuyok said.

He reaffirmed his ministry’s readiness to work with partners to ensure they continue to improve access to education.

“I promise the governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal that we will work to ensure salaries for teachers are paid because without paying salaries for teachers, we won’t have quality education in our schools.”

Kuyok said he promised to implement the free and compulsory education policy introduced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in February 2023.

Simon Athuai Akot, State Minister of General Education, said the school enrollment in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has declined from 900 in 2024 to 800 in 2025.

“The ongoing enrollment of this year, 2026, is 640. This decline is as a result of economic hardship, and to transition these girls to secondary school, this requires sustainable support from us and the partners,” said Athuai.

He called for joint efforts to eliminate harmful traditional practices, such as early and forceful marriage and unintended pregnancy, that are hindering girls’ child education.

“Girls’ education in South Sudan needs more efforts to eliminate some traditional practices that hinder their education, such as early and forceful marriage, unintended pregnancy, and so many harmful practices hindering girls’ education,” he said.

Amb. David Asher, UK Ambassador to South Sudan, called on the government to invest in the education system to improve the quality of learning in the country.

“We, from donors and the international community, are committed, and we will remain committed, and we will do what we can, and we also need a strong partner from the side of the government,” said David.

David said the education system is underfunded, with only 2 per cent allocated to the education sector in the 2025-2026 budget, a move he described as “shocking.”

“This is a chance for us to make an appeal to the government to step up its ownership because this is the future of South Sudan; these are children of South Sudan, and this is the future of your country.”

Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative to South Sudan, reaffirmed their commitment to support the government in strengthening the education system, emphasizing that education is not a temporary but a lasting investment.

“To the government, partners, and the leadership, prioritizing education is essential; domestic investment, strong policies, teachers’ recruitment, regular salaries, and safe learning environments are the foundation of improving the education system,” Skinner said.

Skinner urged parents and community leaders to ensure learners are protected in a learning environment with safe spaces for them to learn and become better leaders in the future.

“To our community leaders and parents, you are the first teachers; your encouragement determines when a child enters and stays in school, so let’s work together to ensure girls return to school just as much as boys,” she said.