By Manas James
Local authorities in Pigi County of Jonglei State have complained of a lack of qualified teachers and stationeries as primary schools reopen across the county for the first time since 2013.
Majok Dau, the county education director, said teachers on government payroll have deserted the profession for greener pastures leaving pupils at the mercy of volunteer teachers.
The official said the already precarious state of education there is being exacerbated by a large influx of returnees fleeing the war in Sudan.
“Across the county, we have about 21 primary schools compared to just 8 lower-classes schools last year,” he said.
He challenges that as the academic year begins there are no enough textbooks, exercise books, chalk and even blackboards.
In terms of teachers, we are just depending on volunteers because our teachers had left for better jobs somewhere else,” Dau added.
He added, “This year, we register 5821 pupils including 2670 females from class 1 to 8, hoping that this year we will have candidates for a certificate of primary education for the first time since 2013.
Our schools have been operating from Malakal over the past years but now are back despite challenges.”
On his part, Nyok Malual Mayik, the county commissioner, said the state of education in Pigi is dire and appealed to aid agencies to come to their help.
“A large number of returnees are coming home from Sudan, putting pressure on our resources. We relocated our schools from Malakal to the county, but the challenge now is that we only rely on volunteers,” he said.
“So, we appeal to aid agencies to support teachers so that they return from private sectors to teach.”