By Adia Jildo
A political analyst, Boboya James has dared government’s failure to honour commitment in prioritizing education system in South Sudan.
The analyst confronted government yesterday on primary eight examinations which have not been marked, and exams facilitators not been motivated towards their work.
Most schools have opened, yet the results for primary eight have not been released.
The activist stated that calendars of examinations are set by laws, and conduct of election are set by regulation. He said government should follow procedures and law to govern education in the country.
“The government itself which was supposed to be the primary promoter of education law is not leaving up to its commitments to this process; education is not prioritized by the government much as the ministry of education is trying very hard to enable the education sector supported,” Mr. Boboya said.
Boboya stressed that poor government system left education in the hands of corrupt and incompetent officials with poor decision making and lack of understanding about the importance of education.
The University lecturer stated that once authority didn’t pay attention to education sector, it impacts the people in the future because people have to transition from one class to another without interference.
The political analyst said government has not taken up its responsibility to close the gap of education in South Sudan.
He said that there are a lot of education gaps created by government due to its irresponsibility.
Mr. Boboya further said failure to mark primary eight examination is a violation of the right of children to access education, or to continue with education according to the constitution.
Nevertheless, he urged government to look forward and finalized marking of examinations for students’ return to school, as Covid-19 had already affected education system.
He said communities and parents should put pressure on government so that examinations are finalized, and children resume classes.
In addition, he called on government to work together with international communities and different stakeholders to unveil funding towards education sector to improve learning system in the country.
He said that South Sudan education system and development lagged behind.
Meanwhile the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, Edmund Yakani said lack of political will to invest in the education sector has failed education development.
He said that poor financial support is a burden to education sector; hence students tend to wait for the next batch.
“There is no interest and resources put in the basic and secondary school which has left secondary schools rolling out without the senior one hence gap of student which might become bulky in one class,” Mr. Yakani said.
The activist stated that finance is not in place to fund marking of exams, and to be program within the calendar of the academic year.
Yakani urged that government should invest in education system to motivate teachers in examination marking.
“The improvement is much more if there is a political will in the country. The system will not improve if there is no political will,” he said.
CEPO’s Executive Director also urged government to invest in education and the ministry of education should take up steps to mobilize resource for marking P.L.E. examination.