Hon. Minister of Education announcing formal launch of the Project “Strengthening TVET in South Sudan supported by the Government of Sweden/ SIDA © UNESCO
UNESCO, the Embassy of Sweden in South Sudan and the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, launched a four-year project on “Strengthening TVET in South Sudan” on 10 March 2022 in Juba. The project seeks to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in South Sudan from 2021 – 2025.
In his remarks, Prof Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa appreciated the generous support of SEK 100 million (equivalent to USD 11 M) from Sweden to strengthen TVET, one of the most critical and much needed education sub-sectors in the country. Considering high non-literacy and a growing number of out of school youth, he recommended that South Sudan adopt a policy integrating literacy into all TVET initiatives targeting youth and adults. He stressed that skills are vital for poverty reduction, for private sector development, for job creation, and self-employment, particularly for youth. “Skills are essential in the achievement of the SDGs and in the shift towards a low carbon economy - that means we need to think about Green TVET. As such, TVET has the potential to be a key driver of overall economic growth and well-being for all”, he concluded.
For his part, Mr. Joachim Waern, Head of Office, Embassy of Sweden for South Sudan stressed the importance that his country attaches to the skills development of young women and men in South Sudan. “Together with UNESCO and relevant Ministries and stakeholders, we want this project to contribute to enhance the ability of the people of South Sudan to support themselves and strengthen the resilience and confidence in the society”, he said.
Speaking as the Guest of Honor to launch the project, Honorable Minister for General Education and Instruction, Ms. Awut Deng Acuil expressed her special gratitude on behalf of the Government of South Sudan to the people of Sweden and their government for the support in TVET that contributes to achieve South Sudan Vision 2040 and the SDGs. She further expressed commitment of all the relevant ministries to support the implementation of the project and urged other development partners to follow the project as a good model and rethink on the promotion of TVET skills across other remaining fifteen SDGs.
Hon. Peter Baptist, Hon. Professor Mathew Udu, Dr. Sisto Otim, Hon. Esther Ikere, and Hon. Sandra Bona all representing different ministries and the parliament committees, in their remarks supported the inter-ministerial approach to TVET, including green TVET, gender equality and inclusivity for persons with disability.
The event brought together more than 120 people including fifteen line ministries; three commissions; representative from the President Office; R-TNLA committee chairs for education, youth, health and labour; representatives from donors; private sector; UN and NGOs.
