Schools to reopen in May

South Sudan’s government on Monday announced that schools across the country are to reopen in May following a year-long closure enforced due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 is here to stay and since there is decline in the number of persons getting infected (by COVID-19), the ministry has decided that we should reopen schools on the May 3rd this year,” Awut Deng Achuil, National Minister of General Education and Instruction said on Monday during an opening of a General Education Annual Review in Juba.

She said that both primary and secondary schools will reopen, adding that the ministry is working to install hand washing facilities and disinfect all schools prior to the scheduled reopening.

 “We have made the first test which went successfully, we have had two classes that spent five months in schools. We thank God that there was no single (COVID-19) case until they concluded successfully, we hope to do the same,” Awut added.

The General Education Annual Review conference brings all Ministers of Education, Director Generals from South Sudan’s ten (10) states and the three (3) Administrative Areas, this year, the meeting is discussing the challenges that education sector faces particularly, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Ministry of Education disclosed that the current three-day conference is being held to prepare for the reopening of schools.

The Ministry further said it has printed books to ensure learners do not share books, adding that each student will have English and Mathematics textbook.

“We want to encourage parents and students to ensure that we keep schools open but we all must be safe in the environment where we live. We have to continue with learning, we have seen that many students have gone into different activities, this is not good for our country,” Awut Said.

Learners have stayed home since the first lockdown was imposed in South Sudan in March 2020 as a measure to try and control the spread of COVID-19