28 November 2011 – Under the theme "Girls education for quality education, peace and development", Upper Nile State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) in collaboration with UNICEF celebrated South Sudanese Girls' Education Day today in the capital Malakal.

Present at the first Girls' Education Day to be observed in Malakal since the independence of South Sudan were State Governor Simon Kon Pouch, state government ministers, advisors and representatives of organized forces in the state.

The event began with a march by students from different schools in Malakal and was followed by presentations of songs and poems by students.

Governor Pouch appreciated the role played by UNICEF in supporting the education sector in the state.

"Girls' education is very important because if you educate a girl, you educate the nation," said Mr. Pouch, calling on teachers to exert more effort in raising awareness about the importance of girl-child education.

He said his government would continue to work closely with the education sector to increase education for girls.

"It is our responsibility to build more schools, so that the girls can get more learning spaces," said Mr. Pouch

MoEST Minister Mojkwan Kak Ajang reaffirmed the commitment of the ministry to train more teachers to support girls' education in the state.

"I urged the parents to avoid forced marriages and (other) bad practices which are obstacles to girls' education and allow their girls to attend schools," said Mr. Ajang.

Florence Akiyo of UNICEF said that girls' education would contribute to the country's development and reduce the rate of child mortality in the community.