By Deng Chol
In a country striving for stability and long-term development, one often-overlooked group continues to bear immense sacrifices our soldiers.
These men and women risk their lives to protect the nation, often under difficult conditions, with modest salaries and limited support systems. Yet each month, a sum of 5,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) is deducted from their wages.
Many in the ranks and beyond are beginning to ask: Could this small but consistent deduction be redirected to build a better future not just for the soldiers, but for their children ?
The idea is simple but powerful: use the monthly contributions to build and operate military schools where the children of soldiers can study free of charge. It is not just a matter of education, it is a matter of dignity, welfare, and national growth.
Building a Legacy Through Education
Education is the foundation of any prosperous society. For military families, access to consistent, quality schooling is often disrupted by deployments, relocations, and the instability that can surround garrison towns. Creating dedicated schools for military children would offer stability in an otherwise uncertain life. It would also signal a meaningful investment in the families of those who serve.
Military schools are not a new concept.
Many countries including Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt run successful military school systems that educate thousands of students annually. South Sudan could take inspiration from these models while designing a system tailored to its own realities.
Is It Financially Feasible ?
Some might question whether 5,000 SSP per soldier per month is enough to build schools. While it may not fully fund construction overnight, the combined contributions of thousands of soldiers over time could generate a substantial fund.
For example, if just 100,000 personnel contributed 500,000,000 million SSP monthly. That would generate billions of SSP per a year, a sum that could finish construction of some schools, hiring of teachers, and purchasing of materials.
Moreover, such a fund could attract support from donors, NGOs, and development partners who are more likely to back projects that show strong community initiative and sustainability.
Transparency and Accountability: A Must
For this idea to succeed, it must be grounded in transparency.
Soldiers must be fully informed about how their money is being used, and there must be mechanisms in place to ensure that every SSP is properly accounted for.
An independent oversight committee comprising military representatives, education experts, and civil society could be tasked with managing and auditing the funds.
Boosting Morale and National Unity
Investing in the children of military families would go beyond infrastructure; it would strengthen morale among troops who often feel forgotten. Knowing that their service is helping build a better future for their children could foster a deeper sense of pride and loyalty in the force. It would also help narrow the educational gap between military families and the general population, promoting greater unity and social cohesion.
A Call to Action
This proposal deserves serious consideration not as a political statement, but as a practical solution rooted in empathy and foresight. The children of our soldiers deserve the same opportunities as any other South Sudanese child. And our soldiers deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their sacrifice is matched by a commitment to their families’ future.
It’s time to think not just about bullets and boots, but about books and blackboards.
If the 5,000 SSP deducted from soldiers’ salaries can be transformed into schools, then perhaps, one day, the sons and daughters of our military will sit proudly in classrooms built by the sweat and service of their parents and that will be a legacy worthy of any soldier.