“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
School days -- School days -- Little golden rule days.
School is part of life for most children in the U.S. and developed countries around the world. Parents, even governments, realize the importance of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
However for children in most of Africa, school is not a necessary part of life, it is a privilege.
South Sudan is a young nation – not only as a new country; but, over 40% of the population of South Sudan is under 14 years of age – this is an amazing statistic – children make up almost half of the population.
A very sobering statistic follows; less than 12% of six year old children are in school.
Of the reasons given why children
between the ages of 6-14 yrs. are not in school, 41% of families said either
they had no money for school costs or the children were needed to work to
support the family.
In most areas of South Sudan primary/elementary school is held outside under a convenient tree.
There are no desks and if the
student wants to sit in a chair he/she brings his own from home. Even many Secondary/High School students
bring their own chairs from home.
There does not seem to be a schedule or a set amount of days for which school is in session. Some schools are in session for only five weeks - two months a year. There isn’t much which can be learned in such a short time.
With teachers either underpaid or not paid and books unavailable it is difficult for anyone to get excited about learning.
Pray that education would be a
priority among the people groups in South Sudan.
Currently, students in secondary
school (high school) are required to take a Christian religious studies
class. There is an open door to teaching
God’s word to young people in South Sudan.
Pray that God’s people would hear His call to go to South Sudan and help
nurture these young lives.
The government is open to organizations building schools and helping train teachers to staff those schools. Pray that God’s people would take up the banner of education in South Sudan
There is a 70% illiteracy rate in South Sudan. This makes teaching God’s Word orally important. Pray that God’s people would learn Bible storying – telling the stories and truths of the Bible, so that even those who are unable to read the Bible can learn God’s truths.
School is part of life for most children in the U.S. and developed countries around the world. Parents, even governments, realize the importance of reading, writing, and arithmetic.However for children in most of Africa, school is not a necessary part of life, it is a privilege.
South Sudan is a young nation – not only as a new country; but, over 40% of the population of South Sudan is under 14 years of age – this is an amazing statistic – children make up almost half of the population.
A very sobering statistic follows; less than 12% of six year old children are in school.
Of the reasons given why children
between the ages of 6-14 yrs. are not in school, 41% of families said either
they had no money for school costs or the children were needed to work to
support the family. In most areas of South Sudan primary/elementary school is held outside under a convenient tree.
There does not seem to be a schedule or a set amount of days for which school is in session. Some schools are in session for only five weeks - two months a year. There isn’t much which can be learned in such a short time.
With teachers either underpaid or not paid and books unavailable it is difficult for anyone to get excited about learning.
The government is open to organizations building schools and helping train teachers to staff those schools. Pray that God’s people would take up the banner of education in South Sudan
There is a 70% illiteracy rate in South Sudan. This makes teaching God’s Word orally important. Pray that God’s people would learn Bible storying – telling the stories and truths of the Bible, so that even those who are unable to read the Bible can learn God’s truths.