By Yang Ater Yang
The Lakes State Ministry of General Education and Instruction has handed over motorcycles to education managers in three counties to strengthen school inspection and supervision.
The motorcycles, provided under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project with support from UNICEF and education partners in South Sudan, were allocated to Yirol West, Yirol East, and Rumbek East counties.
Ustaz Andrew Wau Maker, Acting County Education Director for Yirol West, said he was grateful to receive the motorcycle, which will support education activities across the seven payams of the county.
“I am very thankful to receive the motorcycle in Yirol West County and to run the affairs of education activities across the seven payams of Yirol West County,” he said.
Maker also commended the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction, led by Minister Gabriel Maluac Yak, for supporting education activities and creating an environment that allows teachers and education officials to move freely.
He further thanked education partners for providing the motorcycles, saying the support would improve access and mobility for education officials in the three counties.
Lakes State Minister of General Education and Instruction, Gabriel Maluac Yak, said the support was a significant achievement for the state’s education sector.
He said education development in Lakes State is a collective responsibility involving the government, teachers, and development partners.
“The motorcycles that you are seeing here are a contribution from our partners in the Global Partnership for Education project,” Minister Maluac said.
He explained that the motorcycles would be used primarily for school inspection and supervision in Yirol East, Yirol West, and Rumbek East counties.
According to the minister, the motorcycles will remain under the respective education departments and will not be the personal property of county directors or individual inspectors.
“These motorcycles that are going to the counties will not either be owned by the director or individual inspector, but they will be used for official inspection in our respective schools,” he said.
The minister warned that the motorcycles should not be used for commercial activities or personal purposes.
“They are not going to be used as boda-boda, and they are not going to be used for personal gains or personal interest. But they will be used to support the education program in Lakes State,” he added.
Minister Maluac thanked the education partners, county education directors, teachers, and other stakeholders who attended the handover ceremony.
He said the ministry would provide operational support to ensure the motorcycles are used effectively for their intended purpose.
“I want to thank the county education directors who have attended and taken control of these motorcycles,” he said, urging them to ensure the motorcycles remain operational and are used to achieve their objectives.
The minister also commended teachers for their commitment and resilience, saying cooperation among stakeholders remains essential to improving the quality of education in Lakes State.