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Minister links teachers’ protest to fear of assessment exams

By Yiep Joseph

Warrap State Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Mayom Agok has criticized some of the teachers for protesting the ongoing assessment.

To enhance the education system in Warrap State and South Sudan as a whole, several teachers underwent an assessment test in the State.

This week, some government-employed primary teachers in Gogrial West and Twic counties refused to participate in the screening exams, citing unpaid salaries.

Warrap State has 1,075 primary schools and 48 secondary schools, with a total of 7,000 teachers who require proper screening to improve educational quality.

While teachers from various counties acknowledged the instruction from the Ministry of General Education to take the assessments, many protested the process, urging the government to prioritize paying teachers’ salaries before focusing on evaluations.

In response to the above grievances, Warrap State Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Mayom Agok expressed that the demand for pay is a sole right of teachers but has no connection with the ongoing assessment examinations.

“For those demanding their salary arrears, it has no relationship; you can sit as you still wait for your arrears. Refusing to sit proves your nonexistence or lack of qualification to be called a teacher, she said.

“Refusing to sit proves your nonexistence or lack of qualification to be called a teacher,” the minister said.
She added that the assessment is purposely to allow the government to know where more training is needed in the state.

“These exams are a diagnostic tool to identify the areas where professional training is needed. Teachers who are identified as needing further training will be given the opportunity to receive the appropriate professional development,” the minister said.

“I would like to address the widespread reactions regarding the recent teacher’s assessment exams. To be very honest, the nature of these exams is purely to assess the level of education and capability each teacher possesses in their respective responsibilities,” she added.

She added that the ongoing assessment done by lecturers from Rumbek University is neutral and would yield positive results.

The minister called on the teachers and the public to cooperate with the government in improving the quality of education.

“We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation as we strive to improve the quality of education in our state. These measures are in place to ensure that our teachers are well-sorted and equipped to provide the best education possible for our children,” she said.

In August 2024, Warrap State Ministry of General Education and Instructions announced that the state will soon implement professional screening examinations for both primary and secondary school teachers.

This initiative, as stated by the ministry, is organized by the National Ministry of General Education and Instructions, based in Juba.

In a strategic move to ensure the examinations’ successful administration, the National Ministry of General Education has partnered with the University of Rumbek.

 

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