Education officials in South Sudan’s Aweil State say they are facing a high turnover of teachers employed by the state government further deteriorating the standard of education in the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, the Director General for the ministry of general education and instruction Ceaser Atem Biajo, said they are now facing a shortage of teachers after many teachers abandoned the profession.

He said the main challenge is linked to the economic crisis affecting the country and poor pay, adding most of the teachers who downed their tools have sought employment in other sectors.

Atem pointed out that most of the teaching staff are volunteers and it is difficult for the ministry to hold them accountable when the education levels fall.

He further revealed that it is difficult to know the current number of teachers in the state due to the high turnover rates but advised those planning to leave to inform the ministry.

Last month, Aweil state ministry of education said they are preparing to recruit 300 primary school and 70 secondary school teachers.