By Aguok Chok
The Minister of Labour, James Hoth Mai, has called on universities and education leaders to focus on training more technical professionals to meet the country’s urgent development needs.
Speaking during the welcoming ceremony of the newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Madut Biar Yel,
Hoth said the country cannot move forward without a properly aligned education system.
He was speaking at the reception of the newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Biar Yel on Monday.
“If I get a chance to speak to our professors or people from universities. These two ministers are responsible for shaping the education system in the Republic of South Sudan. If so, we need to know the needs of this country,” Hoth added.
He challenged the academic community to take responsibility for aligning their programs with the demands of the national market.
“We don’t want to continue without knowing what our market and our people need to fix this country to become a country,” he stressed.
The Labour Minister drew inspiration from history to emphasize the power of a united educational and national effort.
“In 1956, when the whole American people went on the streets… they did two very important things… they contributed everything they had… and they changed the education system.”
Bringing the focus back home to South Sudan, Hoth asked the education leaders to reflect deeply.
“What do we need in this country for us to advance? What do we need? It is your responsibility.”
He highlighted key areas where technical expertise is lacking, saying, “I have been talking about technical. We need technical people more than anything. Let us teach technology to our people,” he urged.
“I say in this country, we need only one thousand medical doctors, we need thousands of nurses. We need more engineers in this country. We need more accountants. These are technical people who will fix this country.”
Despite the over four thousand students who graduate every year, Hoth Mai said a majority of them lack technical skills and seek limited government positions.
“The government is very small, the private sector is bigger than the government. I want you to take note, this is not bad.”
However, the ministry called for stronger collaboration between universities and government institutions.
In a passionate appeal for research and practical work, Hoth urged academia to conduct more research to help policymakers.
Recalling his time as Minister of Labour, Hoth praised the success of bringing together professors and civil servants to solve real problems.
“It was wonderful… we had a very hot debate… But at the end of the day, we all agreed.”
“Please, sit with your professors, try to see what this country needs. If you define that one, then you will direct all the universities and general education to supply that gap,” Hoth told new minister of higher eduction.