Learning for Lasting Peace. Happy International Day of Education!

Annually celebrated on January 24^th, International Day of Education is a day proclaimed by the United Nations to celebrate the role of education for peace and development. In South Sudan, where decades of conflict have left communities fractured, education serves as a powerful tool to rebuild trust, promote, understanding, and create lasting harmony. At Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS), we witness every day how education transforms lives and communities. This year, we join the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Education under the global theme, Learning for Lasting Peace.

In recent years, South Sudan has witnessed an influx of refugees from neighbouring Sudan, and many South Sudanese have also experienced displacement due to sporadic communal conflict. For girls like Ayen Achiek, education is more than just learning to read and write; it is a lifeline to hope.

Ayen, a 17-year-old student at Elite High School in Juba, has faced the harsh realities of displacement. She was uprooted by conflict while living with her family in Yei. When she moved to Juba, her future seemed uncertain—until she joined a GESS-supported school where she met new friends. The welcoming environment of her new school made her feel comfortable and secure.  Thanks to cash transfers and capitation grants, Ayen not only resumed her education but also gained a renewed sense of purpose.

“When the conflict broke out in Yei in 2016, my studies got interrupted and we were relocated to Juba. I was not sure about my education anymore, thankfully I joined one primary school in Sherikat (a suburb in the outskirts of Juba) and was so happy to be in school again. I later started receiving cash transfers that helped immensely with   scholastic materials. I am now in Senior 3 and received yet another payment of cash. I will be a candidate this year and I am so glad to have continued my studies to this level even after the conflict.” Ayen narrates.

The GESS interventions are to see all children enrol in school, remain in school, and complete their education. Through the GESS behaviour change communications component comprising of radio programming and community outreach activities, we encourage host communities to be welcoming to new students like Ayen who might have experienced displacement as a result of conflict and other crisis. “It is good for us to co-exist in the schools and live in peace with everyone. I am from Nuba mountains, and I study here in Juba. Education is important because it changes how people think and how they solve problems,” Zaitun Koko, a student in Juba Teaching Hospital’s Nursing school.

Education teaches learners like Ayen and Zaitun more than just academic content; it instils values of tolerance, empathy, and resilience. “In my classroom, students from different backgrounds sit together, share experiences, and learn the importance of coexistence” Ayen adds. Such interactions in schools help to break down stereotypes and foster understanding, planting seeds of peace in a country yearning for unity.

The role of education in promoting lasting peace extends beyond the classroom. Educated children like Ayen and Zaitun grow up to become leaders, advocates, and peacebuilders in their communities. They challenge harmful practices, champion equality, and ensure that future generations inherit a culture of peace.

On this 2025 International Day of Education, we stand firm and commit to making education accessible to all children in South Sudan, including those with disabilities and those affected by conflict. We believe that learning is not just a right but a pathway to peace—a peace that South Sudan so deeply deserves.

As we commemorate this day under the theme “Learning for Lasting Peace,” let us celebrate the transformative power of education and renew our collective efforts to ensure that every child can learn, grow, and contribute to a peaceful future.

Happy International Day of Education!

Categorised in: Girls' Education, Human Interest Story