To support basic education in South Sudan, the Norwegian government today announced a $5.8 million donation to the country at a ceremony held in Juba.

The donation, which will be channeled through UNICEF over a two-year period, follows a decision by the Norwegian government to make education a main priority in its development assistance programmes.

According to Tone Tinnes, Norway’s Ambassador to South Sudan, her country increased support to education worldwide this year and selected four countries with which to work.

“South Sudan is one of those four countries and that is why we are here to sign the agreement with UNICEF… one of the main partners that Norway has in education,” she said.

UNICEF Deputy Representative Ettie Higgins said the organization would provide learning opportunities for more than 40,000 children through a community-based Back-to-Learning project, with a special focus on girls.

Ms. Higgins revealed that UNICEF would establish 100 temporary learning spaces and 50 early childhood development centres.

She added that the donation would also support basic education in conflict-affected states.

“Last year, the Norwegian government supported UNICEF with over $4 million to help us provide key education services as well as child protection services for children across the country in 2016,” she said. “We will do the same (and) this time we are targeting more than 40,000 children to put them back to school and provide quality education services in four states.”