So, my appeal will be to the parents across the entire country that all the children in this country must report back to school boys and girls together. . A special emphasis should go to support their return to schools. Established in 2002, the GEM Report is an editorially independent report, hosted and published by UNESCO. And what they said, they should continue with it and help our teachers so that we shall continue with our studies, Shantal Dominic said. In her remarks, Save the Children's Country Director, Rama Hansraj said there is a need for strong participation of the government to enforce the document. Awut Deng Achuil, minister for general education said the first phase of reopening that kicks off on October 5 will involve only 75,000 pupils in primary 8 and 35,000 students in senior 4 across the . UNICEF and UNESCO welcome the decision of the Government to start reopening of schools in South Sudan. More than 800,000 people in South Sudan might lose access to health services if humanitarian funding is not met: https://t.co/94dCWnnttD pic.twitter.com/YB1EY7AGib. Allowing learning to take place and protection of children during learning in South Sudan is [paramount]," VP Ayii asserted. The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) provided the funding. The state building and peace building efforts of the national plans put high demand on the education system to expand fast, reduce inequity, and provide appropriate teaching. Newspaper is your news, entertainment, music & fashion website. Your email address will not be published. Also, nothing can replace face-to-face interaction with teachers or peers. Makuei also said restrictions on working hours had been lifted and that offices will open from 8am to 5pm beginning next week. In 2005, the Security Council established a Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) to systematically monitor, document and report on violations committed against children in situations of concern around the world. South Sudan had the first conference on Safe School Declaration (co-convenience meeting). Accelerated learning: the key to COVID catch-up? UNICEF is thankful for all the support from our trusted Education partners, including Canada, EU/ECHO, Norway, Sweden, the Global Partnership for Education, UKAID andUSAID. With the academic year cut just six weeks in, many students were worried they would never be able to sit their final exams and finish their education. My plan for the exam is to study as much as possible, keep on reading every day and hope that I am ready for the examination, said Daniel, days after returning to school. VCG. Noel Kana is one of them, "I am happy to hear that schools will reopen because being idle is not suitable for learners. The recovery rate was more than 95 per cent in some of the most difficult-to-operate areas of the world, he added. In the past year, we have learned the hard way that when some people dont have access to health services, everyone can be at risk.. At the time, Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Thuoi Loi said it was unclear when the virus will be under control and children can safely return to school. However, catching up on seven months of lost education and preparing for the biggest exam of our lives was stressful. "This year is unique; I am proud of all candidates who never experienced school closures before, and despite the pandemic and crazy things happening, reading for exams in a short time. For girls, especially those who are displaced or living in poor households, the risks are even higher. The Honourable Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng Acuil . After an initial allocation of $35.7 million, a $6 million additional grant was approved to contribute to the implementation of the General Education Strategic Plan (GESP), 2017-2022. Sources say the reopening of schools could be . "The exams were fair, not hard, not easy, but it was fair. Even the teachers are ready to go back to work. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President in charge of Service . Fifty-eightwomen and children of more than 600 who were abducted last year during vicious intercommunal fighting in South Sudan, have been reunited with their families, the UN Spokesperson told reporters on Monday. Schools in South Sudan were shut down for 14 months to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For Daniel, Wendy and other candidates sitting their final exams in early 2021, education resumed last year in October 2020. ", UNICEF representative described the launch as a great day for global advocacy initiative to ensure safe space for safe learning.. As children in South Sudan await the re-opening of schools, WFP is mitigating against the impact of the pandemic on children's health and nutrition by providing take-home rations for 23,000 children in the most food-insecure counties. Schools allow children to access basic services including clean water, health and in many cases also food. School reopened Monday in South Sudan after closure for more than one year due to COVID-19 pandemic. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President in charge of service cluster, said the decision came in the wake of the recent drop in COVID-19 infections since March. The Safe School Declaration has been developed in the form of Schools as . It was also attended by the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Defense, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, students and representatives of the UN agencies, among others. Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace. UNICEF is committed to working with the ministry of education to ensure learning continues in the country. In fact, there is no known evidence on the correlation between the rate of disease transmission and whether or not schools remain open or closed. On 20 March 2020, all schools in South Sudan were closedand almost 2 million children were forced out of classes due toCOVID-19 preventive measures. We are seeing most sectors gradually reopen, except the education sector. She caution students to keenly observed health prevention measures in class. I am very excited to enrol for my bachelor's degree in logistics studies; it is so appealing.". There were tears of joy at OR Tambo International Airport today following the return of 52 South . In a UNICEF letter-writing workshop, out-of-school students poured out their hearts to their instructors. SSBC News. South Sudans Ministry of General Education and Instruction has announced the reopening of both secondary and primary schools country-wide in the national capital Juba on Monday. The Safe School Declaration has been developed in the form of Schools as "Zones of Peace.". South Sudan had more than 2,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including more than 45 deaths and more than 1,200 recoveries. Find out more about our work towards the Sustainable Development Goals. In South Sudan, schools provide more than just academics. Save the Children, partners and the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs express commitment to keep schools safe and urged all parties to the armed conflict to refrain from actions that impede childrens access to education. School reopened on Monday in South Sudan after closure for more than one year due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Verified 5 days ago. The children are the future of the country. Education partners were alarmed by children who dropped out of schools, primarily teenagers who got marriages during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What you need to know about the new 2023 SDG 4 Scorecard, Mr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Mr. Julius Banda, UNESCO Representative in South Sudan, Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs. He said the partnership reduced bureaucracy and improved service delivery.. "Overstaying at home is embarrassing us and erasing away the knowledge we acquired from our teachers. "I am happy that schools are going to reopen. Parents are also thrilled to see their children returning to school. This builds on 11 years of Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) support to national education coalitions for their engagement in education sector policy dialogue. The government . For almost 75 years,the UNESCO Courierhas served as a platform for international debates on issues that concern the entire planet. Schools across the country were frequently closed due to fighting and the threat of violence, and hundreds of schools and other civilian assets were looted and destroyed. Watch on. In July, a number of international aid organisations urged the government to reopen schools warning that children face a number of perils while away from classrooms. We are calling on to the teachers to welcome their pupils back in their classes. WFP Eastern Africa - 2022 Regional Achievements & Outlook, UNICEF South Sudan Appeal, 2023 Revision 1 (April 2023), WFP South Sudan Situation Report #310, 28 February 2023, Culture, Context and Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons from South Sudan. The Ministry of General Education and Instruction, UN and other education partners launched a distance learning programme through radio providing lessons twice a day as a way for children to continue learning and to stay engaged while home to prevent some of the adverse effects we saw. The family noise meant she had to study at a neighbour's house or wait until the nighttime snoring stopped before she could open her books. The longer children stay out of school, the harder it is to get them back to the classrooms. The South Sudan government in partnership with GESS will pay capitation grants, in addition to cash transfers, to girls at levels from primary five (5) to senior fouer (4), Minister disclosed. To counter disruptions in education caused by COVID-19, UNMISS peacekeepers from Mongolia hand over school materials for displaced children in Bentiu. Questionnaire - SSEC School Level assessment. Their mental health deteriorates. Furthermore, South Sudan Ministry of Education policy framework has been developed and is now before the cabinet for approval. 6,385 Views. "Overstaying at home is embarrassing us and erasing away the . Copyright 2023 United Nations in South Sudan, Caption: Bell ringing ceremony to mark the reopening of schools after 14 months closure due to COVID-19. Nation-wide Assessment Dataset - SSEC - 2017-11. These dangers included early pregnancies, child labour, recruitment into illegal groups and mental anguish. Prolonged school closures are likely to cause students to regress academically. In South Sudan, schools provide more than just academics. But the countrywide reopening of schools in May 2021 is an opportunity to secure the future of children in South Sudan. Our task is to inform people about the dangers of occupying civilian facilities, Gai said. Charity and Empowerment Foundation with support from Save the Children invited stakeholders for the official launch of the 'Safe Schools Declaration Guidelines' for South Sudan on Monday. I work in academia "The exams were fair, not hard, not easy, but it was fair. He noted that schools will only operate at half capacity as preventive measures against COVID-19. There are reports of children having been engaged in child labour, children roaming the markets looking for work and opportunities, children joining gangs and engaged in crime and substance abuse. On the same event, UNICEF Country representative Hamida Lasseko appreciated the government commitment allowing access to education; while urging the ministry and parents to prioritize children. It is now ten years since Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Africa, with Tanzania being his first stop on the Opinion Piece: The Author isDr Zhou Pingjian, the Ambassador of China to Kenya. Students return to school in Juba, South Sudan, after more than fourteen months of COVID-19 restrictions. SOUTH SUDAN Consolidated Emergency Report 2021 March 2022 A family in Bentiu, Unity State, transports their belongings after severe flooding made road travel impossible . There has already been a near-doubling of outpatient admissions in the last weeks, likely from malaria infections or reinfections, Mr Oyens said. By Deng Machol Juba - On Thursday, the Government of Norway has provided NOK 90 million [$10 million] to support a safe return to school for children in restive South Sudan. South Sudan, the UN's youngest Member State, is marking its tenth anniversary of independence amid languishing political progress and a range of humanitarian challenges, the Secretary-General's Special Representative told Security Council members on Monday. I work for the GPE Secretariat The GPEII program financed by the US$41.7 million grant is designed to ensure that by the end of 2023, the number of boys and girls who are out of school in target areas decreases by 15%, while ensuring an increased equitable access to quality education through working closely with other programs. Seeing children at home idle is having a profound negative effect on children, especially girls that are being married off at a tender age," says Nathalina Samuel, a mother of seven children. I know you want what is best for your children, and right now that is sending them back to school. Cameroon: Rights Groups, Women Organizations Want Urgent End to Atrocities, Human Rights Violations in NW/SWRs, Congo Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project Paves the Way for Energy Security on the Back of Gas, Tanzanias Simba SC Lose To African Champions Waydad In A Do-Or-Die Quarter-Final, Nigeria: Cameroon Anglophone Refugees Turn To Farming For Survival, Tanzania: Dar-Zanzibar To Construct Longest Bridge In Africa Crossing The Sea, Appeasement In Khartoum-The Tragedy In Sudan Was Predictable. All schools have been closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19, keeping 2 million children out of school. OCHA coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. Schools reopening date set to be decided today. Monday 3 May was a special day for millions of children in South Sudan. Share. All military members are unconditionally prohibited from occupying schools, interfering with, or disrupting school classes or activities, or using school facilities for any purpose," Angelina said in her directives. "We are here to declare our commitment to practice the safe school declaration," said Vice President Ayii after handing over copies of the guidelines. South Sudan's Ministry of General Education and Instruction has announced the reopening of both secondary and primary schools country-wide in the national capital Juba on Monday. In the lower secondary level, it is reported that 60% of children are denied access to education which accounts for the second-highest rate in the World. The current reopening plan will cost just under USD 16.4 million, while only USD 7 million is available through the Global Partnership for Education. SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Cat II Intergovernmental meeting, other than international conference of States, SDG 4 Regional Steering Committee Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean. The pandemic has left the most vulnerable and marginalized even further off track when it comes to access to quality education. ywillemot@unicef.org tr.pant@unesco.org SDG: SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Protection of human rights (Procedure 104). However, stakeholders including the government representatives were briefed. Internally displaced persons, returnees and conflict-affected populations already living in dire conditions may soon face even greater danger to their lives and health due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the rainy season and floods, the UN agency said. As classes resume, the education ministry recommends that only 50 learners will be allowed in a classroom at the primary schools and 45 learners at the secondary schools. When children are out of school for prolonged periods of time, their exposure to physical, emotional and sexual violence increases. Moreover, girls have been hit the hardest. Candidate classes Primary 8 and Senior 4 returned to school for a 6 day/week programme that will see them work towards examinations in February 2021 and March 2021, respectively. "There is an existing order for all schools still occupied by armed groups to be vacated immediately.". UNICEF is working with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to prepare schools for the reopening and we are excited to note that this year will be the first with the new South Sudan curriculum. The closure ended up being a huge blow for education, but more than anything it turned into a child rights crisis. Let's Take Action Towards the Sustainable Development Goals. John is one of the beneficiaries of school materials handed Usually, we look forward to the holidays, but suddenly our holiday became so long," Wendy said. 12 African cities vying for the most culturally vibrant on the continent. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, vice president in charge of service cluster, said the decision came in the wake of the recent drop in COVID-19 infections since March. We are reopening today and we are reopening because we have children at home. Schools are safe places for children where they are protected from exploitation, abuse and from harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and early pregnancies. UNICEF South Sudan and Partners Launch "Invest in Teachers, Invest in the Future" Campaign, UNICEF works with national and State health ministries, partners, and community health workers to ensure all eligible persons are vaccinated, A path to improved education in South Sudan, COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Kicks Off to Boost Coverage in South Sudan. I am excited to hear schools will reopen and soon we shall get to reunite with friends and teachers to learn more," Lawrence said. GPE had provided the South Sudan National Education Coalition with a grant from the CSEF to support its engagement in education sector policy dialogue and citizens voice in education quality, equity, and financing and sector reform. Lawrence Mathew (15), a senior three student says also he has been struggling; "We have been out of school and idle at home for over a year, sometimes we revise our past lessons, but we are losing hope that our classes will reopen.". The Minister of General Education and Instructions, Awut Deng Achuil reaffirmed her commitment to protecting schools and protecting children. Our work on the Sustainable Development Goals. The Declaration is expected to also protect students, teachers, schools, and other learning institutions from some of the worst effects of armed conflicts. We applaud for the plan of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction to gradually reopen schools in the coming weeks and encourage the National COVID-19 Taskforce to support the plan. The crisis in South Sudan has impeded education for most of the countrys children. JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 - UNICEF and UNESCO welcome the decision of the Government to start reopening of schools in South Sudan. I believe we are going to excel in the exams, and I am glad we have made it," Windy says with a grin. Join us and leave your mark ! Fewer that one in 10 children has access to child protection services, the veteran UNICEF worker said, noting that between January and March this year, the agency scaled up treatment to more than 50,000 children who were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.