Mapiso Primary School in Tambura celebrates newly constructed classrooms supported by the Government of Japan

World Vision held a hand-over ceremony of school buildings of classrooms, teachers’ office and latrines at Mapiso Primary School in Tambura. The construction of Mapiso Primary School is a part of the first phase of the three-year program (June 2016 to May 2019) funded by the Government of Japan through Japan Platform (JPF).

In the morning of sunny day of  1 June, more than 200 people gathered and participated in the hand-over ceremony at Mapiso Primary School, where pupils used to study under the tree due to lack of classrooms. Among the participants were Hon. Justin Ebere Ginan, State Minister for Education, Tambura, State Advisor for Security Afairs, Economics, Hon. County Commissioner, County Education Department, church and community leaders, teachers, parents and pupils. A series of speeches were delivered by key representatives, followed by dance performance by the pupils.

Tambura State Minister of Education expressed his gratitude to the people and the Government of Japan for the great contribution. He also encouraged the community to take good care of the school infrastructure and called on the parents to send all children to school, especially girls. Hon. State Adviser added, “Tambura will cooperate with all levels of the Government to make sure that education is prioritized. Education is the light of the nation.”

 The government of Japan disbursed about $1,253,000 for the first phase of the three-year education program, in which World Vision in cooperation with County Education Department and various community members strives to protect children from the influence of the conflict by improving the access to quality education for children in Tambura.

 In addition to the construction of Mapiso Primary School, World Vision has been providing support for teachers’ training, SMC/PTA’s training, education awareness raising campaigns, establishment of Life Skill Clubs and Citizens Voice Action (CVA) Committees (community based advocacy groups) etc.

 Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan, Kiya Masahiko, sent his message which was read at the hand-over ceremony by World Vision staff on his behalf. “Today’s school hand-over ceremony gives us an opportunity to appreciate all the positive outcomes that all of you collectively realized for the benefit of children, who bear responsibility for the future of this payam, county, state, or even the entire country. And they will then become fathers and mothers in the future, improving the quality of life in the next generation.”