![South Sudan education minister Awut Acuil (right) and governor of Lakes State Rin Tueny (left) inauguration a small in Lakes. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_20250205_114314_866.jpg?resize=1024%2C448&quality=89&ssl=1)
The handover ceremonies took place in Rumbek Center, Cueibet, Yirol West, and Awerial counties on Wednesday.
Minister Acuil expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort in improving educational infrastructure in Lakes State.
“We are here, we have done some renovation and construction of schools in the State and we wanted to hand them over to the State authorities,” she said.
The minister emphasized the importance of universal access to education for all children in South Sudan, particularly in Lakes State, urging parents and community leaders to ensure that all children, both girls and boys, including children with disabilities, attend school.
“We want to say that the schools are opened, and we want every child in the school,” Acuil stated.
She stressed that ensuring education for every child is a collective responsibility, not solely the government’s.
“It is not a role of the government alone but collectively, it’s our responsibility that all the community leaders should be involved in education, making sure that every school-age child must go to school. So, these are the main things I am coming here to Lakes State,” she said.
The minister added that she would be spending several days in the state visiting various locations where schools have been built.
Acuil acknowledged the contributions of donors to the education sector in South Sudan.
“We thank our donors who have given us the resources to support education in South Sudan, GB education can wait, World Bank, and many others that have participated in helping South Sudan to reform [its] education system,” she said.
She also recognized the work of implementing partners, including Save the Children, who accompanied her on the tour.
“We are here with our partners, we are all here, including Save the Children, the whole team, and it is the same things that were the one including the implementation of this program,” she continued.
The minister confirmed that the handover of the schools would be a joint effort with these partners.
“We will be here and touring the State together and handing over the schools over together,” she affirmed.
Acuil concluded by thanking the people of Lakes State for their understanding and support of education.
“Once more I would like to thank the people of this great State that they have understood what the meaning of education and everybody is supports education,” she added.
Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor said the entire state welcomed the minister’s visit.
“She was welcomed by everyone in Lakes State, both schools, children and the general public,” he said. Mabor emphasized the significance of the minister’s visit, noting that it was specifically focused on education programs in the state.
“Today is a very important day in Lakes State,” he added. “She came purposely on issues related to education in Lakes State.”
He expressed his satisfaction with the progress of education in Lakes State. “The education in the State is going very well in Lakes State,” he said.
