Gov’t told to include people with disabilities in SSP1 billion free education funds

JUBA, FEBRUARY 27, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s prominent activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the government release of 1 billion SSP in free education funds, but the urged the government to also allow people with disabilities to benefit from the money.

Last week, the government released at least 1 billion pound after President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered a week before that education should be free to all citizens of the world’s youngest country and instructed the government to effect his decision.

In a statement, Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the government release of the 1 billion SSP and urged the government to distribute the funds equitably to also benefit the disabled students.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and congratulate His Excellence the president and honorable minister of general education and instruction for championing the principal of free primary and secondary education. We have seen his excellence, the president making a directive some weeks ago for the country to adapt the principle of free, primary and secondary education. And now we have seen the Ministry of Finance releasing 1 billion SSP for the implementation of the concept of free primary and secondary education,” Yakani said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

“This is one of the remarkable offers to the nation, which we call as a remarkable national decision. So, thank you as the president and thank you honorable minister of general education and instruction,” the prominent activist added.

“We would like to take this opportunity to urge the political leadership of the country that since now the country is a party to the convention of rights of persons with disability. Since the president signed on the 24^th of February, we hope that the one billion SSP released for primary and secondary education should also benefit the population of persons with disabilities.

“So, I want to see these 1 billion SSP is inclusive, uh, money in terms of supporting children going to primary and secondary education. So that means the children with disabilities of different forms to benefit from this 1 billion.

“So, I would like to urge honorable minister as she is a champion of inclusive society. When she was a minister of gender, she triggered ratification or conventional as person disability, and now she’s a minister of general educational instruction.

“But also, as simple like to say, will take responsibility and ensure that this 1 billion SSP released for free primary and second education is properly used or will track the use of this money together in partnership with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction.”