September o4, 2023 (Juba, South Sudan): The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with GIZ (Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit) has conducted South Sudan National consultation meeting with governments and partner agencies on Education towards Implementation of the Djibouti Declaration, today, in Juba, South Sudan.
The main objective of the two- day meeting is to assess on the implementation status of the Djibouti Declaration on Education in South Sudan.
Speaking on behalf of IGAD Director for Health and Social Development Division, Madam Fathia Alwan, Mr. Fisseha Meseret, Program Officer, Health and Social Development Division explained that as part of the regional implementation of the declaration, IGAD has done a lot over the last six year which includes developing regional Education Policy Framework, TVET Strategy, Qualifications Framework and assisted member states to develop and adopt National Costed Plan of Action in almost all countries.
“We want this meeting to undertake continued exchange of experiences and lessons learned particularly in the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration in general and the National Costed Plan and the IGAD Qualifications Framework in particular.” He added
In his opening remarks, David Lowda Lodu Modi, Director General of Basic and Secondary Education, south Sudan said that the primary and the secondary students of refugee’s enrollment implemented.
In addition, he described that the National costed plan which had been done, however, remain only funding and issue of infrastructures due to the increase of refugees in the country.
In her remarks, Juliet Murekeyisoni, UNHCR Deputy Representative, emphasized that as key policymakers and institutions interacting with the process used to implement the Djibouti Declaration, her organization has a hope to have a moment of reflection on the best practices and lessons learned and the gaps in the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration, specifically with regard to the five aspects of the policy implementation process, and to be a part of the South Sudan country roadmaps to facilitate future action to further progress on the Djibouti Declaration commitments.
Rev Waigo Ben Tawga, Director General for Vocational Training in the Republic of South Sudan, on his part, described that as the Ministry of Labour, they are dealing with Skills Training for Youth and Adults in the Republic of South Sudan
“Our training covers the whole populations of refugees, returnees and host communities, which are under the republic of South Sudan.” He noted
The meeting brought together participants from relevant government offices from South Sudan, partner agencies and the IGAD Secretariat.
Finally, the National Consultation meeting generated important information and knowledge on the status of implementation of the Djibouti Declaration, which is one of the commitments of IGAD member states and partners and identified gaps and recommendations to filling the IGAD qualification Frameworks; and gained lessons in the implementation of the South Sudan Costed National Plan and provided recommendation on the way forward.
It’s to be recalled that the Djibouti Declaration was adopted in December 2017.
