UN urges South Sudan gov’t to increase budget for higher education

The government of South Sudan has been urged by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to increase budgetary allocation to higher education.

Julius Banda, the UNESCO country representative said the government needs to invest in 70 percent of it’s youthful population which is under the age of 30, if it’s to build a prosperous society.

 “Higher education is important pillar for development, it can and must spearhead the development of this nation, there are many challenges that education faces but we need to look into the development of strategic plan over the next five years,” Banda said during the opening of the meeting of the national council for higher education in Juba on Monday.

 “The ministry of higher education and other institutions of learning need to invest more in higher education that suit the development of this country,” he said.

Justin Wani, the Acting Undersecretary for the National Ministry of Higher Education said that the deliberation at the meeting will help government to provide services, as well as improve the system of education in the country.

Wani revealed that the ministry of higher education was established to produce highly skilled human capital, capable of engineering knowledge-based society and generate robust economy in South Sudan.

 “The deliberations will open ways for the development of the national council for higher education to provide services needed by the ministry of higher education, and for us to continue improving the system of higher education in South Sudan,” said Wani.