OVER 1 MILLION TEXTBOOKS DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS IN SOUTH SUDAN TO ENHANCE LEARNING

Over 1 million textbooks distributed to schools in South Sudan More than 3700 Primary and Secondary Schools receive 1.12 million textbooks to enhance learning in South Sudan.

• 1.12 million textbooks distributed in Juba, set to reach 3792 primary and schools across South Sudan

• Program is in response to the 2.2 million children still missing out on education.

• 1 in 3 schools have been damaged, destroyed, occupied or closed due to conflict, weather events, and COVID-19.

• Only 3.5% of girls enrolled in secondary schools, and primary school completion rate is the lowest in the world, at less than 10%

Wednesday 24 March, Juba: The first of over 1.12 million textbooks was handed to school leaders in Juba today, as part of a massive program aimed at ensuring out-of-school children are able to learn in South Sudan. The textbooks will play a vital role in the teaching and learning process that gives every child the best possible opportunities for education in South Sudan.

The program, led by Save the Children in partnership with Norwegian Refugee Council, Finn Church Aid, and the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), and funded by the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) initiative, is one of the most wide-reaching education resourcing initiatives in South Sudan. More than 1.5 million children – including 1449219 primary school pupils and 109,854 secondary school students - in 3,391 primary and 401 secondary schools in the six states of Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Warrap will benefit from the books.

Rama Hansraj, the Country Director of Save the Children in South Sudan, said:

“Many children are not learning in South Sudan and one of the factors is that both learners and teachers do not have access to adequate reference materials, guides or textbooks that they need to effectively facilitate quality teaching and learning. We believe that these 1.12 million textbooks will reduce the high pupil- textbook ratio thereby allowing more children to get access to textbooks. Thus, ‘putting books in the hands of learners. These textbooks have come in handy at a time when social distancing is a key requirement to controlling the spread of COVID 19 - This means that with more books, we are able to reduce the number of children that come together to share a book.”

The text book ratio is expected to be reduced to 1:1 for secondary learners through the provision of 800 thousand books in South Sudan and for the primary schools, the ratio will be reduced significantly with the provision of 270 thousand books across the MYRP Supported States.

Globally, Save the Children and partners work to ensure that every child receives a good quality education and gains the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century. Save the Children is committed to coordinating and working with all development partners to ensure that all children have access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities they need to realize their full potential.

The ECW’s $ 20 million catalyst grant set in motion a multi-year educational response programme for two years in the country. The programme provides access pre-primary education, boost gender equity, prevent early dropouts from school, and support children and youth in accessing the psychosocial support they need to recover and rebuild from trauma, conflict and displacement in South Sudan.

About Save the Children international:

Save the Children has been working with and for children, their families and communities in South Sudan since 1991. We provide children with access to equitable quality education, healthcare and nutrition support, and families with food security and livelihoods assistance. Our child protection programmes support vulnerable children including unaccompanied and separated children and those affected by violence, as well as advocating for children’s rights at national, state and community levels. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights and we help them fulfil their potential.

For any other inquiries, please contact:

Kangu Tito Justin, Media and Communication Coordinator Save the Children Tito.Justin@savethechildren.org | +211922844458