South Sudan Education Minister Warns of School Closures Due to Salary Arrears
In a recent Council of Ministers meeting, South Sudan’s General Education and Instruction Minister Awut Deng Achuil expressed concerns over the possibility of schools shutting down nationwide due to accumulated salary arrears of teachers and staff.
The Minister highlighted the impact of salary delays on the education system, expressing worries about the recent examination results and the potential drop out of students. The new Finance Minister has committed to addressing the issue to prevent further disruptions in the education sector.
President Salva Kiir acknowledged the challenges faced by civil servants and soldiers who have not received salaries for nine months, attributing it to mismanagement of non-oil revenues. Professionals like teachers and doctors with low monthly salaries have also experienced prolonged payment delays.
Despite efforts to implement the 2018 peace agreement, the aftermath of the civil war continues to affect millions of citizens, with the need for humanitarian assistance remaining high.
As the country marks Independence Day, President Kiir urged unity and a focus on economic growth to overcome the ongoing challenges.