The growing calls on reopening schools amid the novel coronavirus pandemic have been met with strong and adverse reactions from the government and parents who have taken a parallel path against the decision by the United Nations agencies.

The government and partners are in a war of words over the idea of schools reopening with both aggrieved parties trying to state justification of their views over the matter that has sent over four million school-going children home in South Sudan.

Many teenage school girls have reportedly been impregnated over the past four months since the government shut down schools due to SARS-Cov-2 in March saying schools would reopen after coronavirus cases drop to a low level that ensures the safety of children in classes.

But the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urged that keeping schools closed will keep more children out of school in addition to the 2.2 million that were not learning prior to the outbreak of the pandemic.

Addressing participants during the celebration of International Literacy Day, Pawan Kucita, UNICEF South Sudan Chief of Education said the organization was working hard with developmental partners including UNESCO to support the government’s effort in providing education to children.

“Education cannot wait – Our role is to do what we can to support the government, advocate for our children to learn at best they can. Education is the key to the quality of life. Without education even the situation that we are facing now with COVID-19 we may not be able to help them to protect themselves.

“I appeal to all sectors and the Ministry to try our best to reopen schools as soon as possible. We have seen so many difficulties for the children also, they are able to access some forms of distance learning but it is not covered for all,” said Pawan.

However, the Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng Achuil said the government was ready to reopen schools but needs more assessment.

“The ministry is working on preparation to reopen schools. We have a team currently in the states conducting assessments. For us to reopen schools we must assess what are the needs for reopening schools.

“We have to know whether we have sanitation in those schools also to be mindful of teachers and how many schools need to be disinfected before schools are reopened,” Awut said.

Ahmed Mohamed, the Chairperson of the Specialized Education Committee at Transitional National Legislative Assembly said if schools are to reopen getting teachers will be another challenge because many have quit the profession due to low and delayed payment.

“We need to reopen schools from primary to secondary as well as universities but we have challenges, crowd and lack of teachers. These two challenges are the major challenges that will force us not to open schools. No school has less than one hundred learners in a class,” said Ahmed.