JUBA, South Sudan (AP) – On Thursday, South Sudan declared the closure of all schools for a period of two weeks in response to an ongoing extreme heatwave. This heatwave has had severe effects on students, with reports indicating that an average of 12 students have been collapsing daily in the capital city, Juba. The situation is alarming, prompting the Deputy Education Minister, Martin Tako Moi, to take decisive action.
This is not the first instance of schools shutting down due to heat in South Sudan. The country has faced similar challenges in February and March, demonstrating the extreme impacts of climate change it is experiencing, which includes not only severe heat but also flooding during the rainy seasons. Most schools in South Sudan are poorly equipped, often constructed with makeshift materials like iron sheets, and lack electricity to power essential cooling systems, exacerbating the risks posed by rising temperatures.
Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos addressed the public on Thursday, advising residents to remain indoors and stay hydrated, as temperatures are expected to soar as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). She suggested that government employees work in shifts to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heat strokes. The advice highlights the urgency of adapting to the extreme weather conditions faced by the nation.
Moreover, there are growing calls from education workers to reconsider the academic calendar. They are urging the government to modify the school schedule so that institutions can close in February and reopen in April when temperatures are more manageable. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, the dean of the Graduate College at the University of Juba, emphasized that the school calendar should be localized to reflect the climatic conditions across the country’s ten states.
The situation has drawn criticism from civil society, particularly from the group Integrity South Sudan, which has accused the government of inadequate planning and a lack of contingency strategies. They argue that the repeated closures of schools during heatwaves indicate a failure to prioritize the educational needs of South Sudan’s children, which is concerning for the future of the nation’s youth.
It is important to note that South Sudan's health system is already vulnerable due to longstanding political instability. From 2013 to 2018, nearly 400,000 people lost their lives amid conflict, culminating in a peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and his rival-turned-deputy, Riek Machar. Despite the agreement, the accompanying socio-political issues continue to affect various sectors, including education and healthcare.
In addition to educational and health crises, South Sudan is navigating an economic downturn. Elections that were due to take place last year have been postponed for two years because of financial constraints. The country has also faced challenges in its oil export sector, particularly after a key pipeline was damaged in neighboring Sudan, a conflict-ridden nation. While the pipeline has since been repaired, the interruption of oil exports has deepened the economic struggles faced by South Sudan.
As South Sudan continues to grapple with these compounding challenges, the need for effective governance and responsive strategies is more critical than ever to ensure the well-being and future of its citizens, particularly its children.
