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JUBA, South Sudan—The Government of South Sudan, through the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), has officially launched a four-year project to transform basic education in the country, with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The USD $58 million program will expand access to quality, inclusive education and improve learning outcomes for children, especially girls and marginalized groups.
Implemented by MoGEI in partnership with UNICEF and the Save the Children Consortium (SCI, NRC & UNESCO) as grant agents, the initiative harmonizes three key GPE funding streams: the System Transformation Grant (STG), Girls’ Education Accelerator (GEA) and System Capacity Grant (SCG) under one integrated, government-led programme.
“The Government of South Sudan is fully committed to ensuring that all children can obtain a quality education,” said Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction. “This funding from GPE will provide life-saving educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of crisis-affected girls and boys across the country. We call on global leaders to scale up support to sustain this momentum.”
The program comes at a critical time when more than 2.8 million school-age children, over 70%, are currently out of school. In support of national efforts to address this education crisis, the program will directly benefit over 300,000 learners and reach an additional 600,000 indirectly across 20 counties, including some of the most affected areas such as Jonglei, Lakes, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
Through the System Transformation Grant, 250,000 children, half of them girls, will get support, including 3,000 children with disabilities and 1,120 from pastoralist communities. About 7,300 teachers will also benefit. The Girls' Education Accelerator (GEA) will help 33,000 girls, 2,000 children with disabilities, 1,650 teachers, and 29,500 boys through special programs like Accelerated Learning and sexuality education. The System Capacity Grant (SCG) will strengthen how education policies are made, planned, and delivered across the country.
“This is an investment in children’s futures and South Sudan’s peace and prosperity,” said Christopher Nyamandi, Save the Children Country Director. “With GPE support, we will reach the most excluded children, ensuring safe, inclusive access to quality education, even in the face of climate shocks and conflict.”
“Boys, and especially girls, have been shortchanged for too long, with no clear path to education. As Nelson Mandela said, “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. UNICEF is excited to partner with GPE and other stakeholders to realize this powerful change for the boys and especially the girls of South Sudan, said UNICEF Representative, ai, Obia Achieng
This flagship program aligns with South Sudan’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 – inclusive and equitable quality education for all. It also reflects GPE’s core commitment to Gender Equality, national ownership, and system-wide impact.
About the Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
GPE is the world’s largest global fund solely dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries. It brings together governments, donors and civil society to ensure every child has access to a quality education, with a special focus on the most marginalized.
About Save the Children
Operating in South Sudan since 1991, Save the Children provides life-saving education, health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, WASH and protection services. In 2024, Save the Children reached more than 103,647 children and over 220,000 people indirectly with education interventions across the country.
About UNICEF
UNICEF involvement in education and other lifesaving service delivery predates the independence of South Sudan with active operations in the country since 1989. The goal for the UNICEF country programme is that all children – including children with disabilities - adolescents, girls and women, particularly the most vulnerable, are safer and enjoy their rights, with systems strengthened to ensure that they have access to high-quality and resilient services. UNICEF programmes in education cuts across a range of areas including system strengthening, increasing access to quality and inclusive education in both formal and non-formal education, addressing discrimination and inequity based on gender, disability, ethnicity and location. UNICEF also adopts an integrated programming approach to ensure safety and well-being of children through programme on child protection, WASH, Health, Social Protection and nutrition. In 2024, UNICEF reached 195,261 children (47% girls) through the provision of pre-primary and primary education and an additional 392,315 children (47% girls) affected through acute and protracted emergencies have been supported with provision of education services. UNICEF also supported capacity building of teachers, supervisors and inspectors, examiners and education system strengthening.
For more information, please contact:
Estella John, Media & Advocacy Coordinator,
Save the Children, South Sudan Country Office
Email; Estella.John@savethechildren.org; Tel +211927604459
Richard Ruati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF
Email; rruati@unicef.org ; Tel +211 921 359 578