By Alan Clement
The Governor of Jonglei State, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, has declared education as the most significant investment Jonglei can make to secure a productive and prosperous future.
According to the state’s press unit, the governor made the remark during flag-off of the “Back-to-School” project under the theme “No Child Left Behind” held at Bor A Primary School.
Dr. Gai affirmed that his administration places education at the center of Jonglei’s development agenda.
“The greatness of every child, the greatness of Jonglei State, and indeed that of South Sudan as a whole, is hinged on the quality of education that our children receive and the ease with which the child has access to it,” the Governor stated in a statement.
In a statement, he emphasized that the initiative is aimed at giving hope to the most vulnerable children and ensuring that every child in Jonglei State has the opportunity to learn.
“Children are, from my view, one of the most vulnerable groups in our society,” Dr. Riek state adding, “We must ensure our children are healthy enough to learn.
In a statement, the governor emphasized the importance of investing in education, saying, “The next governor of Jonglei State could emerge from one of our public schools. This is why we are committed to giving the education sector the attention it rightly deserves.”
In a statement, Governor Riek also commended UNICEF for its continued support, stating, “I am aware of UNICEF’s educational mandate which serves as one of the major protection pillars in providing support in this sector.”
He announced that the State Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, will convene a strategic conference to foster dialogue and generate innovative solutions.
In the statement, the State Minister of General Education and Instruction, Samuel Ador, described the initiative as a landmark in Jonglei’s education sector and hailed the Governor as “a true lover of education,” noting that the intervention marks “the beginning of a new dawn.”
According to the Minister, “The flag-off is one of the most powerful events so far in the history of this administration. It sets a precedent for all well-meaning South Sudanese and Jonglei people to follow.”
Other dignitaries present including Bor County Commissioner Samuel Ateny Pech, Minister for Information & Technology Nyamar Lony, Bor Municipality Council Mayor Dr. Agot Alier, National MP Dr. Benjamin Malek, and Advisor Diing Akuol lauded the initiative as a democratic dividend and pledged institutional support to sustain the campaign.
According to the State’s Press Unit, the “No Child Left Behind” initiative represents a renewed effort by the Jonglei State Government to restore public confidence in education and promote inclusive learning for all children, regardless of background or circumstance.