As South Sudan works to improve teaching and learning outcomes across the country, expanding access to continuous professional development for teachers is a priority. Many educators, particularly those in remote and underserved areas, have limited opportunities to participate in regular training due to distance, time constraints and economic pressures. These barriers often affect women educators disproportionately.
To help address these gaps, UNESCO, through its International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), organized a three-day workshop in Juba from 17–19 June to launch the rollout of a new mobile-based teacher professional development initiative in South Sudan, with a particular focus on empowering women school leaders and teachers.
When we empower our teachers, we empower the next generation. We appreciate this support for our educators which will expand access to professional development opportunities across South Sudan.
Acting Undersecretary, David Lowela Modi Lodu, Ministry of General Education and Instruction
The workshop brought together education officials from the Ministry of General Education and Instruction and teacher educators from universities and training institutions as part of a one-year project supported by the Government of Japan and being implemented across five African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan.
The Government of Japan firmly believes that investing in teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve educational outcomes and support national development. We are proud to support initiatives that empower educators, strengthen institutions, and promote equitable access to quality education.
Aya Oguri, Head of Cooperation and Development at the Embassy of Japan in South Sudan
The initiative uses mobile technology, supported by edge computing systems, to expand access to professional learning opportunities. Through a platform designed for low-data and offline use, teachers will be able to access self-paced courses, learning resources and peer-learning networks regardless of location. Forty tablets were also provided to participants to support the rollout of the program.
The success of this initiative will not be measured by the number of tablets distributed or the number of trainings conducted. Its true success will be reflected in how effectively you cascade the knowledge acquired, how many teachers continue to engage with the learning platform, how well you support your peers, and ultimately how many children benefit from improved teaching and learning in classrooms across South Sudan.
Yayoi Segi-Vltchek, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to South Sudan
During the workshop, participants explored approaches for supporting teacher engagement and inclusive participation. As Master Trainers, they will now support the rollout of the program within their institutions and help expand its reach across the country.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-partners-launch-mobile-learning-initiative-strengthen-teachers-professional-development
