China-built schools improve education in South Sudan: official

JUBA -- Chinese-built schools have improved the quality of education for South Sudanese students, a government official said Monday.

Deng Deng Hoc, General Education Minister, said China has constructed three schools in South Sudan and they have improved learning conditions for students.

He added that Yapa, Jubek Model and China Friendship Secondary schools were all constructed using Chinese funds.

"We appreciate the support of the people and government of China. This facility is a modern secondary school," the minister said during a ceremony to kick off secondary school leaving examinations at the China-aided Jubek Model secondary in Juba.

"This is a kind of school we really want to have in South Sudan and we are very grateful to the Chinese government and people for this support," Hoc added.

He particularly described Jubek Model secondary, located in the suburb of Gudele, west of Juba as a modern learning institution that will impact the lives of the people of South Sudan.

Inaugurated in January 2017, the 2,200-square-meter facility comprises of 16 class rooms that accommodate about 1,000 students, with running water and 24-hour solar power.

Hoc revealed that the government is also seeking to obtain a loan from the Chinese government for construction of more schools across the country.

"This is a big support from the Chinese government. They are our strategic allies and our relationship with them is already strong and it is getting stronger," Hoc said.