Ministry of General Education opens six institutes to train 1,550 teachers

JUBA – South Sudan’s Minister of General Education and Instruction, Kuyok Abol Kuyok, announced on Thursday the opening of six Teacher Training Institutes that will enrol 1,550 student teachers for the 2026/2027 academic year.

“This nationwide recruitment is part of the ministry’s commitment to building a competent, well-trained teaching workforce and advancing national human capital development,” Kuyok told journalists during a press conference on Thursday.

He stated that through this initiative, a total of 1,550 student teachers will benefit from pre-service teacher training, while 10,450 teachers will benefit from in-service teacher training programmes.

The six teacher training institutes include Rombur in Central Equatoria State, Jonglei in Jonglei State, Maper in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Maridi in Western Equatoria, Tonj in Warrap, and Rumbek in Lakes State.

Kuyok mentioned that the ministry has reserved 35 per cent of all training slots for female student teachers, with 40 per cent of all enrolled student teachers coming from refugee and host communities.

“The programme aims to qualify primary school teachers. The training targets potential candidates who will be able to train and qualify as teachers. It is a two-year programme that will qualify them to become school teachers,” he said.

Kuyok also stated that enrolled teachers will sign a commitment letter agreeing to serve as primary school teachers for a minimum of five consecutive years upon graduation from the teacher training institute.

He further revealed that the national Ministry of General Education and Instruction provides resources, regulations, and standards to the states and counties, adding that 88 per cent of the education budget is transferred to the states.

Kuyok highlighted that the first component of the project focuses on strengthening pre-service and in-service teacher professional development, adding that the training aligns with the 2023-2027 General Education Sector Plan, which prioritises improving access to education across the country.

“The government is also recruiting additional tutors for the Teacher Training Institutes to enhance the quality of training. Education is a devolved power; it is the responsibility of the states and counties to hire tutors,” he said.