The Jonglei State Ministry of General Education and Instruction has cancelled the establishment of 44 newly created secondary schools, citing failure to meet legal and educational requirements.
State Education Minister Samuel Ador Thon said the schools were established in May 2025 without approval from either the Jonglei State Council of Ministers or the national Ministry of General Education and Instruction.
He said the decision was necessary to protect the quality of education and prevent schools from operating without the resources needed to serve students.
“Creating a school without necessary resources risks lowering the quality of education, overwhelming teachers and creating unrealistic expectations among communities,” Ador said.
The minister said the affected schools also lacked essential facilities, including classrooms, administrative offices and libraries, as well as qualified teachers.
He explained that the establishment of secondary schools requires prior approval from the national Ministry of General Education and Instruction, in accordance with South Sudan’s education laws and policies.
“Creating a school is not an easy task that can be done by one person,” he stated. “No authority gives a minister the power to create a secondary school without policy, without a budget, without law, without consultations and without the relevant authority that can give you a mandate.”
According to Ador, Jonglei State currently has 39 secondary schools that are operational. He added that establishing additional schools requires increased government funding, consultations with stakeholders and proper assessment of the communities’ needs.
The minister said the state government will instead prioritize strengthening existing secondary schools.
He added that any future schools must have adequate funding, proper facilities and qualified teachers, and must meet all required standards before receiving approval.
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