Newly-Trained Teachers at Yei Crop Training Center [Gurtong]
By Jok P Mayom
YEI, 24 June 2014 [Gurtong]: A total of 218 teachers were trained for two weeks between 9th and 24th June, under the Alternative Education System. The training was conducted in Yei Municipality’s CTC, under the theme: ‘empower women through functional literacy’.
The graduation was graced by the presence of UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui and UNESCO Special Envoy, Forest Whittaker.
The UNSECO chief decried the challenges facing children in South Sudan, despite the efforts being exerted. She said that the cycles of poverty, multi-generational illiteracy and early marriage for girls could be broken by keeping girl children at school.
Ms. Bakova continued, noting that sustainable peace can only come about if the children and youth of South Sudan are respected and have an opportunity to develop. She vowed that UNESCO would support education in South Sudan, as it is a tool to change the minds of people.
In his remarks to the graduates and audience, South Sudan’s Minister of Education Science and Technology, Dr. John Gai Yoh, emphasised the role of teachers in changing the mind-set of South Sudanese who have been traumatized by war. “Our diamond is a teacher. You should be our tool for campaign” he said.
The Education Ministry’s Director General for Alternative Education Systems, Kuol Atem, said in his comment that peace is made by the government but it is the daily responsibility of each and every one. He urged the trainees to go out and preach peace messages.
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L to R-UNESCO's South Sudan Head Salah Kaled, South Sudan's Education Minister Dr. John Gai Yoh, UNESCO's global head, Irina Bokovo and UNESCO Peace Ambassador, Forest Whitaker at Yei UNMISS airstrip
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UN Delegation Members “Encouraged” by President Kiir’s Personal Commitment to Education
In a related story, the UN delegation, consisting of UNESCO’s Ms. Irina Bokova, UN Special Envoy Ms. Leila Zerrougui and UNESCO Peace Ambassador Mr. Forest Whittaker, reported back on the meeting which they had with President Salva Kiir on Monday 23rd June. On that occasion, President Kiir reiterated his commitment to prioritize education as a cornerstone of recovery from the on-going conflict and sustainable peace.
“Knowledge is the strongest safeguard against violence, against conflict,” said Ms. Bokova. “South Sudan is facing a strenuous task to overcome the challenges of illiteracy and girls’ education... I am encouraged by the personal commitment of the President to make education a top priority. We need this leadership for education to enable the children and youth of South Sudan to build their own nation.” She continued.
Special Representative Zerrougui said that during their meeting with the president, they were assured that schools which had been occupied by the military, would be vacated to allow access to education.
Ms. Zerrougui, whose remit relates specifically to the well-being of children in the context of armed conflict, reported that the president had told them that he is committed to work with the United Nations to fully implement the Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
South Sudan is one of eight countries involved in the campaign ‘Children not Soldiers’, launched in March 2014 by the Special Representative and UNICEF. The campaign aims to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government security forces listed by the Secretary-General. During the visit, Forest Whitaker formally announced his support for the campaign.
Mr. Whitaker said that his foundation has developed activities like The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, to foster peace and reconciliation through a mix of peace education, vocational training and technology in South Sudan.
Whitaker expressed his satisfaction that "President Kiir has warmly welcomed the launch of the Youth Peacemaker Network in the Equatorial Region to boost the peace process.
Mr. Whitaker said that he applied his ‘Forest Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’ during a visit to an IDP camp in Juba, with the aim of enhancing support to youth empowerment through peace-building activities.
Among the activities Whitaker supports, he said that the “Cinema for Peace” program was very successful among the young public. It consists of film screenings on peace, prevention of conflict and reconciliation, followed by debates featuring interactive exchanges and role-playing to sensitize audiences to the values and principles underlying a culture of peace and non-violence.
"Throughout all the difficulties that the youth are facing because of the conflict in South Sudan, their willingness to engage inspires me and let me know that there is hope for tomorrow. Through their intentions a new South Sudan will arise."