Do not takeeducation for granted - Kiir

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday June 27, 2013 00:00

 

The visiting leader told the students during the official opening of the school on Tuesday that there is an education gap in his country due to the lengthy liberation war. He said the students were too young to understand the history of South Sudan. He applauded Botswana for its contribution to the liberation and independence of his country. He urged Batswana to protect the peace they are enjoying. 'We have people who are learning under trees in my country because their chance to learn was taken away by the conflict that we had. Education is at the top of our agenda,' he said.

He stated that the intention of his government is to make sure that children in South Sudan have education like those in Botswana. He said his visit is to benchmark ways in which they can improve their education system. Kiir said his country is rich in minerals and other natural resources but remains poor due to the war. He donated US$50,000 to the school.

The senior secondary school has cost P600 million to construct. It started operating in 2011 with a group of students from villages such as Kgagodi, Tamasane, Mogapi, Tobane, Sefophe, Damuchujenaa, Gojwane, Matsiloje, Matshelagabedi, Mabeleapudi, Majwanaadipitse and Tshimoyapula. Currently the school has 1,700 students