Education partners launch four-year programme to support vulnerable girls in Eastern Equatoria

Education partners under the Education Foundation Support for South Sudan (EFASS) have announced a four-year programme to improve access to quality education for vulnerable girls in Magwi and Torit counties of Eastern Equatoria State.

The programme, launched on Monday in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Instruction, will provide financial support to 105 government and faith-based schools to help vulnerable learners, particularly girls and children with disabilities.

Save the Children Field Coordinator, Odongi Mathew, announced the initiative during a meeting with the Eastern Equatoria State Caretaker Minister of Education and Instruction, Ibwaha Lucy Allam, on Monday.

Odongi said the programme would also support teachers through Continuous Professional Development in 44 selected schools across the two counties.

He identified cash transfers to schools, teacher development and gender transformation as the programme’s three main components.

The gender transformation component will target primary seven and eight learners, with a focus on addressing challenges that prevent girls from accessing and completing their education.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Minister of Education and Instruction, Ibwaha Lucy Allam, welcomed the programme but urged development partners to extend similar support to other underserved areas.

She specifically mentioned Imehejek, Chukudum, Ikwoto, Kawuto and Kimotong.

The four-year programme is expected to strengthen school support systems, improve teachers’ skills and promote equal access to education for girls and other vulnerable learners in Magwi and Torit counties.