To give children in war-affected areas a chance to continue with their education, humanitarian partners today re-opened a primary school in Wau Shilluk, Upper Nile State.

UNICEF, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and non-governmental organization INTERSOS worked together with the local community to re-open the school which provide education for both boys and girls. 

INTERSOS is assisting the school with funding, while UNICEF and UNHCR will offer educational materials, as well as community organization and support.

Anna Belt, an INTERSOS representative, affirmed the international community’s commitment to continue assisting the South Sudanese communities.

“We should allow our children to go back to learning (as this is) essential especially (during this ongoing conflict),” she said.

Some 800 pupils were registered to attend classes at the school, which is expected to officially open and provide learning services on 23 November.

Community leaders and parents in Wau Shilluk appreciated the role of UN agencies and other partners in giving the children an opportunity to resume their studies after nearly two years of an education gap owing to the crisis in the country.

Also thanking the humanitarian agencies, pupils appealed to parties to the conflict to stop war and allow them to continue in their education.

“I am happy to hold my pen after nearly two years,” said Viviana Paulino, a students’ representative. “I would like to … ask the warring parties to stop war and embrace peace in order for us to go back to school.”

The head of UNICEF in the state, Paulin Nkwosseu, commended the community for its resilience and stressed that it was vital to keep education as priority.