Juba: A new climate resilience schools programme has been launched in South Sudan, aimed at helping more than 200,000 school children secure education as the nation grapples with the challenges of recurrent floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
According to Save the Children, the initiative is supported by funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with a total of US$17 million allocated to bolster climate resilience through education across the country.
The Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector (BRACE) pilot project will assist the Ministry of General Education and Instruction in reforming educational policies, reconstructing schools, and training young individuals to safeguard learning amidst intensifying climate disasters. The programme will benefit over 200,000 children, half of whom are girls, by ensuring continuous access to education.
South Sudan is among the most susceptible countries to climate change and natural hazards, with these climate extremes increasingly disrupting learning, damaging school infrastructure, and displacing thousands of children annually. Currently, flooding has impacted more than 1 million people across six states in South Sudan, displacing nearly 355,000 individuals, with Jonglei and Unity states being the most affected.
In addition to flooding, consecutive heatwaves have forced schools to close for extended periods over the past two years, hindering educational access for many children. The new programme aims to keep thousands of children in school by adapting educational infrastructure to withstand climate changes, including enhancements such as improved ventilation, solar panel installations, water harvesting, and improved sanitation systems.
During the project's launch in Juba, H.E. Josephine Lagu, Vice President of South Sudan and chair of the Service Cluster, emphasized the importance of placing children at the center of educational reforms and the need for inclusive practices. She highlighted the role of teacher training in delivering climate-responsive education and stressed community engagement in climate adaptation and education planning.
Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction, expressed gratitude to the Global Climate Fund (GCF), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and other donors, acknowledging their investment in the nation's stability and educational opportunities. The Ministry committed to ensuring that all children, despite climate challenges, have access to quality education.
Hon. Agot Alier, Deputy Speaker of the Child Council, encouraged the project to instill confidence and resilience in children, aiming for future generations to lead similar initiatives. Chris Nyamandi, Country Director for Save the Children in South Sudan, highlighted the detrimental effects of the climate crisis on children's right to education and the importance of adapting education systems to survive and thrive amidst climate shocks.
Morten Sigsgaard, GPE Secretariat Country Team lead for South Sudan, and Ms. Yayoi Segi-Vlthcek, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to South Sudan, both recognized the severe impact of climate change on education, emphasizing the necessity of national leadership and investment alongside international financing.
Save the Children has been operational in South Sudan since 1991, offering access to education, healthcare, nutritional support, and livelihood assistance to children and families. Through the BRACE initiative, the organization and its partners aim to ensure education systems not only withstand climate challenges but also emerge stronger, safeguarding the right of every child to learn and thrive in a changing world.