Meeting with the Minister of Education

We had a fantastic meeting today with the Minister of Education for the government of Jonglei State, Stephen par Kuol. He has been in this position since 2010 and was former ambassador for South Sudan in Tanzania and a life time teacher/professor.

He spoke of his vision for education for his people as a way forward. “There are two types of development that have to happen,” he said. “Physical development and human resource development. If we invest first in the people, then they can create the physical infrastructure needed. Education is key to that investment.”

An entire generation has been deprived of an opportunity to learn durning the war (1983-2005). 1 in 8 South Sudanese are estimated to be illiterate. “They cannot provide a sustainable way forward but their children can. We should have begun educating the next generation yesterday but we can start today.”

We were honored for the opportunity to connect with this man and look forward to our continued partnership with the Ministry of Education.