RUMBEK, South Sudan – Across South Sudan, thousands of girls stop their education early. Poverty, child marriage, social norms and cost of education continue to interrupt their learning. While more girls are enrolling in recent years, many never make it through to the graduation

Keeping girls in school requires more than just expanding access to education. It demands sustained investment, supportive communities that address these barriers.

That was the message at this year's National Girls' Education Day commemorations in Rumbek, where Oxfam, alongside the Lakes State Ministry of General Education and Instruction, development partners, educators and community leaders, renewed their commitment to not only enroll

The event held under the theme, "Educate a Girl to Transform the Nation was meant to celebrate the progress while acknowledging that significant barriers remain.

Through support from DANIDA SP2, Oxfam in South Sudan  has been working with government institutions, schools and communities in Rumbek Centre and East counties to make schools safer and more supportive for girls so they can participate, learn and succeed. 

Through Rights and resilience response for crisis affected communities in South Sudan project, Oxfam is supporting the distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits so girls continue attending school during their periods, Teachers have also received training on more inclusive teaching methods and respond to the different learning needs of girls and boys.

"My hope is to remain in school and complete my education so that I can be a better person in future for my country. I want every girl in Rumbek to have the same opportunity to learn without being forced to leave school early." Debora Adak Maker from Aber Primary school, Rumbek 

Beyond the classroom, Oxfam has also worked with Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), Girls' Clubs and Gender Champions at encourage families and local leaders to promote girls' education and challenge harmful practices including child marriage or care responsibilities that contribute to school dropout. Through radio programmes and community engagement, this initiative has further helped amplify conversations around the value of educating girls and the shared responsibility of ensuring they complete their education.

During the commemoration, the Lakes State Ministry of General Education and Instruction acknowledged the contribution of development partners in expanding opportunities for girls through awareness campaigns, school governance training, cash assistance and menstrual hygiene support for girls at risk of leaving school

According to the Ministry, the schools across the Lake State enrolled 177,931 learners during the 2026 academic year including 70, 532 girls. 

The Director General of the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction, Gabriel Maluach Yak emphasized that increasing enrolment must be matched by stronger efforts to improve retention and completion rates for girls adding that:  

“Every girl who stays in school strengthens not only her own future but the future of South Sudan. We have made encouraging progress in expanding access to education, but our work is far from over. We must continue investing in safe, inclusive schools, strengthen support systems for girls, and work closely with families and communities to ensure every girl has the opportunity to complete her education.” 

Participants stressed the importance of strengthening school-based support systems, including increasing the number of trained school matrons who can provide mentorship, guidance and protection to girls throughout their education journey.

For Oxfam, investing in girls' education is about more than improving education outcomes. It is about expanding opportunities, strengthening communities and advancing gender equality. 

James Mabor “Every girl who remains in school is better equipped to participate in decision-making, contribute to her community and build a more secure future for herself and for the country as the next generation. 

As South Sudan continues its efforts to improve education, partnerships between government, communities, schools and development organizations remain essential.