Rising floodwaters have forced hundreds of candidates to drop out of school in Jonglei State capital, Bor, educational officials have said. 

Jonglei state had registered about 4,000 candidates for the final examinations slated for early next year. The government announced the resumption of learning in September, after months of closure following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.  

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday evening, Francis Mayen, the director for secondary education, said hundreds of learners have been forced to drop out after the schools reopened. 

He pointed out that the level of rising floodwaters have forced some learners out of Bor, and made it difficult for those in Bor to access schools.  

“We have 18 secondary schools with 1,299 students. We have 56 primary schools with 2,584 pupils and 117 teachers in Bor town of Jonglei. Learners from schools outside Bor came to the town while the rest moved on because of floods. Turnout is very low. About half of the candidates may miss out this year because there are no schools in places like Mangalla. And some in Bor can not access schools,” he said.

The education official described the education trajectory in the state as worrying. 

“Learning is challenging in Bor. Moving from an area to the other is very difficult. At schools, classrooms are shared with the displaced. Even teachers and learners are stressed and traumatized. We want psycho-social support,” he pleaded.

When asked if they would close schools as floodwaters rise, he said: We plan to relocate to any school on higher ground. We will not close. But if the government wants schools closed because of floods, we do not have a problem. The condition is terrible." 

A student in Bor, Ayen Chol, said 75 of her colleagues have left schools due to rising floodwaters. 

“At Royal High, we were 165 candidates for both sciences and arts departments. But now, we are only 75. Some left Bor, while others especially the short ones are not able to move in the floods with books,” she said.

She appealed to the government to relocate all candidates to a safe place outside Bor.