By Ijoo Bosco
Twelve teachers from hard-to-reach schools in Magwi and Obbo Payam of Eastern Equatoria State completed a 12-day training program organized by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in collaboration with the Magwi County Education Department.
The program concluded with a call for teachers to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in their classrooms.
Mr. Sagin Joseph, ADRA Education Officer, emphasized the importance of putting learning into practice.
He highlighted that continuous professional development is crucial for achieving educational goals in South Sudan.
“This training is designed to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to become more effective educators,” Sagin explained.
He also emphasized that the curriculum materials used were developed by South Sudanese education experts.
“These locally-developed resources offer a valuable opportunity for teachers to connect with their students and deliver clear messages relevant to our own context,” Sagin added.
Ochan Peter, a program tutor, echoed Mr. Sagin’s sentiments, stating that the training aims to elevate the professional standards of teachers.
He underscored that the program helps transition teachers from untrained to trained professionals, enabling them to contribute to the development of their communities and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Achona Phillip Okech, Deputy County Administrator for Finance in the Magwi Education Department, acknowledged the importance of continuous professional development but expressed concerns about scheduling such programs during the school year.
He suggested that future training be conducted during school holidays to minimize disruption to student learning.
He also urged teachers to catch up on missed lessons and double their efforts to ensure students stay on track.
“While I understand the timing of this training presented challenges, let’s now redouble our efforts to cover the missed lessons and ensure our students don’t fall behind,” Ochona concluded.