EASTERN EQUATORIA - Access to education is a fundamental right for every child, and it is one that signatories to South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement must make a priority.

This was one of the main conclusions when a joint verification team visited Eastern Equatoria to check whether any girls or boys were to be found at the Irube cantonment site, home to soldiers from the country’s two main armed forces, and at military barracks in Magwi and Torit.

The screening exercise resulted in a positive observation: not only was the site declared an adults-only place, but the inspectors also noted that there was no evidence of any other violations of children’s rights being committed.

"We are very serious about protecting the rights of children and keep them out of harm’s way. We take pride in our recent track record on that score,” commented Major General Chaplain Khamis, Director of Child Protection within the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

The visiting delegation did, however, identify a source of real concern, as more than 500 children who lives in Irube with their parents in the vicinity of the military barracks lack access to basic education and healthcare.

Major General Patrick Ohiti Osfaldo, Commander of the Tafeng Division of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition is aware of their precarious situation.

"While we do not recruit children, it is disheartening that a lack of teachers and proper infrastructure affect the future of the younger generation. We urge partners for peace to assist us in building classrooms nearby,” he said.

At present, the nearest school, funded by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is located eight kilometers from the site, in Gunyoro village. That distance is long enough to make schooling a challenge.

“We fully understand the need to do something about this sad situation. We are partnering with the UN Children’s Fund to find a viable solution,” said Priscila Ong Ayo Okaalo, a Child Protection Officer serving with UNMISS.

The joint verification team consisted of representatives from the Child Protection Units of the two main military forces), the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, the Eastern Equatoria State Technical Committee on Child Protection, and the UN peacekeeping mission.