The Education Ministry in South Sudan’s Unity State has announced the start of the academic year, citing what they say is relative improvement in the security situation in the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Director of Education Ngier Bahnguot announced schools were opened as of Tuesday and are fully prepared to receive the students.

“The security situation has returned to normal, so schools were opened in spite of deficiencies in the general education conditions in the state,” explained Bahnguot.

Earlier this month the same official said the schools would be delayed in opening because of the fighting. Massive displacement of the civilian population means schools in many areas will be unable to resume. According to UN figures, there are up to 200,000 people on the run in the state, about a third of the entire state population. 

Parts of Unity State remain under control of opposition fighters, who defected from the army en masse throughout much of the state in mid December, until its conquest by loyalist forces in January.

The director noted the state ministry will work closely with development partners and other organizations in the education field in order to meet the education needs in the state. He called on parents to return home and enrol their children in schools so as not to miss classes this year. 

Photo: Boys at a school in Owachi, Upper Nile State, 2011 (Cedric Gerbehaye/Pulizter Center)