Primary schools in Bentiu IDP camp lack scholastic materials

Teachers in the schools located in Bentiu protection of civilian site (PoC) are complaining of shortage of scholastic materials such as chalk, black boards and school benches.

Gatkuai Mawic Puok, a teacher in Lich primary school one of the eight primary schools in Bentiu IDP camp said eight, said the shortage of scholastic materials came in the aftermath education donors cutting funding for the schools.

Lich Primary school has 4,000 pupils who are now unable to learn because of shortage of these scholastic materials.

 “Education partners have pulled out their education support and we are running the schools without teaching chalk, blackboard and benches, chalk is not there in the public market,” Puok said.

He urged education partners to support primary schools with these teaching materials.

 “I urge UNICEF, World Relief, Mercy and the state ministry of general education to support the eight primary schools in Bentiu IDP camp,” Puok said.

Luel Diing, the UNICEF Bentiu Field office education officer, said plans are underway to support the affected primary schools in Bentiu IDP camp.

“We are going to send scholastic materials to those eight primary schools, but we are waiting for a request and after that we will prioritize the most affected schools,” Diing said.

Last year education partners supported eight primary schools in Bentiu IDPs camp with scholastic materials and teachers’ incentives.