South Sudan government should provide support as well as imposing measures to ensure that the already announced free education become effective in schools.
In the previous year, the initiative of free Education in private schools faced a lot of challenges as some were reported to be charging heavy fees.
However, some of the school administrations admitted that such fees were charged to make sure that the school operate.
As schools reopens, there is a need for government to equipped and support schools in order to ensure that free education is implemented.
Education is the foundation of national development. For a young nation like South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, investing in free education is not just a social service, it is a necessity for survival, stability, and progress.
The government of South Sudan should implement a comprehensive free education system to empower its citizens, reduce poverty, and build lasting peace.
First, free education would significantly increase access to schooling. Many families in South Sudan live below the poverty line and cannot afford school fees, uniforms, or learning materials. As a result, thousands of children especially girls are out of school.
When education is made free and accessible, enrolment rates rise dramatically. Children who would otherwise be working, displaced, or forced into early marriage are given the opportunity to learn and build better futures.
Second, education is a powerful tool for economic growth. A country cannot develop without skilled professionals such as teachers, doctors, engineers, and administrators. By investing in free primary and secondary education, the government would be laying the groundwork for a competent workforce.
Literacy and vocational skills increase employment opportunities, boost productivity, and attract foreign investment. In the long term, free education reduces dependency on foreign aid and strengthens national self-reliance.
Moreover, free education promotes national unity and peace. South Sudan has experienced years of conflict and political instability. Schools can serve as spaces where children from different ethnic and social backgrounds learn together, fostering understanding and cooperation.
Education teaches critical thinking, civic responsibility, and respect for diversity—values essential for rebuilding trust and strengthening democracy.
Critics may argue that South Sudan lacks the financial resources to implement free education.
While funding is indeed a challenge, education should be viewed as a priority investment rather than an expense.