By Emmanuel Mandella

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio (CDTY), Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has urged young people in Western Equatoria State to embrace education as a pathway to personal growth and national development.

Speaking on Sunday in Yambio Eucharistic celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop Eduardo stressed that education remains the most powerful tool for shaping the future of South Sudan.

He encouraged students, especially those who recently completed Senior Four, to take advantage of the Christian higher education institutions.

“To learn is to build the nation, when you choose to study to become a teacher, you are not only securing your future but laying the foundation for the development of our country. Every great nation is built on the shoulders of teachers who guided its people,” Bishop Eduardo said.

However, the Bishop noted that most of young people in Western Equatoria who completed secondary education remain idle, jobless, and vulnerable to social challenges.

He urged them not to waste their potential but instead to enroll in institutions of higher learning, particularly those provided by the Catholic Church.

“Our young people should not be left at home without direction, the Catholic University branch here in Yambio is a blessing, and it is open for all. Education is the path to dignity, self-reliance, and peace,” he added.

Education as a viable tool for nation building, the Bishop emphasized that training as teachers through initiatives like the solidarity teacher college is not only about creating jobs but also about empowering the next generation. Teachers, he said, are the architects of society, responsible for nurturing minds, instilling discipline, and inspiring vision.

Education experts agree that investing in teacher training is critical for South Sudan, a country struggling with high illiteracy rates, conflict-related disruptions, and limited access to quality schooling.

Despite the Bishop’s call, the road to achieving quality education in Western Equatoria State remains difficult, as in some schools classrooms are overcrowded, learning materials are scarce, and many schools lack trained teachers.

While, in rural areas, children often walk long distances to attend school, while some parents cannot afford fees due to the country’s worsening economic situation.

Similar struggles are felt across the country, where limited infrastructure, underpaid teachers, and poverty have continued to hold back millions of students from accessing meaningful education.

The Bishop noted that these challenges, though daunting, must not discourage young people from pursuing learning opportunities.

In a call to action, Bishop Hiiboro’s message comes at a critical time when South Sudan is preparing for its future beyond years of conflict. With the youth forming the majority of the population, empowering them through education is seen as the key to stability and development.

“We cannot talk of peace and progress without education. Our young people must rise, join schools and universities, and prepare to lead this nation with wisdom and knowledge,” Bishop Eduardo concluded.

The Catholic University branch in Yambio, alongside teacher training initiatives, is expected to play a central role in responding to this call, offering young people an alternative to idleness and helping to build a brighter future for Western Equatoria and South Sudan at large.