By Yiep Joseph
Dr. John Garang Secondary School in Pakuor, Twic East County, Jonglei State, faces overwhelming challenges that the government and well-wishers need to leverage the institution.
Headteacher, James Majur, told No. 1 Citizen Newspaper in an interview that challenges continue to strain the school and could lead to closure, if not promptly addressed.
Following severe flooding in Pakuor, the school was relocated to the county headquarters in Panygor. Unfortunately, support has been limited, leaving the school vulnerable to numerous issues.
Majur noted that the school struggles with inadequate infrastructure and a lack of educational materials. While the institution relies heavily on volunteers, many government-employed staff are leaving due to delayed salary payments.
He urged both the government and well-wishers to step in and provide the necessary support to ensure the continuity of education for the students.
“There are nine volunteer teachers and 10 government teachers, and they are not supported, including myself as headquarters; I did not get salaries for almost 12 months,” Majur said.
“As I talk now, we have nine volunteers that are not being paid by the government, and the teachers employed by the government are running away because of many challenges, such as no salaries,” he added.
He revealed the teachers in the school continue to teach with no motivation or incentive, adding that they can leave at any time and the school may collapse.
The headteacher called on the well-wishers to provide scholastic materials and cater for the welfare of teachers in order to maintain them in class and in school.
He appreciated the teachers who have volunteered without receiving salaries from the government.
Majur revealed that the volunteers continue to suffer with no salaries, citing that he only motivates them when government-employed teachers get their salaries.
He expressed that the volunteers continue to render services for free for the sake of their communities who need education.
“When there are salaries, I can motivate them, but since there are no salaries, I just tell them to work for the sake of the people, and they are working for free,” he said.
“I am not giving them something because there is nowhere I get resources, just like me, I am just staying with no salaries from the government till now.”
He acknowledged the help of the STEM program for providing computers to the laboratory and helping to motivate two science teachers.
The headteacher added that such help is not enough as many challenges continue to face the school.
He called on the government and well-wishers to intervene in order to keep the school running, adding that their difficulties continue to increase and can harm the operation.
“We have teachers that have no support, and there are no salaries. Also, my request as headquarters is to ensure that the other teachers be helped since the government salaries continue to be delayed,” he said.
“We need someone to volunteer to ensure that the science lab is constructed and other scholastic materials are provided in order to improve the operation in the school.
He appreciated the parents for always sending their children to the schools despites several difficulties due to the flood in the areas.