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Youth Leader Says Better Access to Education Needed in Southern Sudan

   Peter Clottey 25 April 2010
   A  handout picture from UNMIS shows internally displaced persons (IDP)
   waiting  for the distribution of aid during a visit by UN humanitarian
   chief John Holmes in the town of Akobo in southern Sudan, 8 May 2009

Photo: AFP

   A  handout picture from UNMIS shows internally displaced persons (IDP)
   waiting  for the distribution of aid during a visit by UN humanitarian
   chief John Holmes in the town of Akobo in southern Sudan, 8 May 2009

   A leading member of a youth organization in Rumbek State says southern
   Sudanese youth were deprived of education during the civil war between
   President  Omar  Hassan  Al-Bashirās government and the Sudan Peopleās
   Liberation Movement (SPLM).

   Mathok  Madol  Mathok  says  improved access to education should be an
   important part of the regionās recovery.

   āThe neediest thing as a citizen of southern Sudan and also as a youth
   at the same time is education. During the war, many of us didnāt go to
   school  because  the youth were also at warā¦so we did not get time to
   study.  After  the  war, we need education to develop our country,ā he
   said.

   Some   studies  conclude  that  after  the  2005  Comprehensive  Peace
   Agreement development efforts have failed to materialize for the Nuer,
   Dinka, Murle and other communities.

   Mathok  said  both  factions deployed a lot of young people during the
   civil  war.Ā   Today,  youth  are often engaged in violent attacks and
   counter-attacks with other communities.

   According  to  a recent USAID report, the people of southern Sudan and
   the  areas of Abyei, Blue Nile, and Southern Kordofan have some of the
   lowest literacy rates in the world.

   The  report  also  stated that public opinion polls show a high demand
   for education services.

   The  Government  of  Southern  Sudan  says  some of its ministries are
   working  closely  with  the  USAID  to  build  human and institutional
   capacity to implement and administer decentralized education services.

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