By Yien Gattour
At least 40 schools in Longchuk County, Upper Nile State, are operating under trees amidst a lack of access to scholastic materials and an unconducive environment.
Several pupils told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper that they are being taught under trees, with scarcity of textbooks and stationery.
One 17-year-old pupil at Madang primary school, Nyakhor Bol, said the situation is challenging and has appealed for aid.
“One of the problems is that classes are not enough. Those of us in lower classes receive lessons under trees and are asked to go home when it rains,” she said.
Pupils also lack school uniforms and textbooks while girls experience extra problem of lack of sanitary pads.
Koat Bil, another pupil said they feel being neglected and he pleaded that the government addresses their plight.
Pupils lack uniform, no food, and even safe water source.
“This situation is really challenging,” he said.
“Even scholastic materials like pens, exercise books, and textbooks are lacking. We want our government to see this suffering and come to our aid,” the learner stressed.
He added that pupils are not the only ones facing challenges, but teachers as well, and that since 2018, it has always been a struggle to keep pupils engaged.
“We can’t just refuse to teach because of challenges; we have to,” he stressed.
“As teachers, we don’t have enough school learning materials like registration books, chalk, and black boards. Since we reopened last month for this academic year, we are just struggling,” he noted.
Five years of civil war in the country saw the closure and destruction of several schools in Longchuk County.
Majority of primary and secondary schools only reopened in 2018 following the black boards signing of a deal that ended the conflict.
Goanar Nyoch Reath, the county education director, admitted that at least 40 primary schools in Longchuk County, Upper Nile State operate under trees.
He said the county is overwhelmed with challenges and needed the engagement of aid agencies as the county lacks resources.
“We are very aware that only seven schools were built—three primary schools and two secondary schools-during that time before the conflict” he said.
Upper Nile State Minister of Education, declined to comment on the concern raised by pupils in Longchuk County.