By Emmanuel Mandella

Students at the National Teachers Training Institute (NTTI) in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State have raised concerns about what they call the “deepening administrative failures”

They said the issue is threatening the quality of education and welfare at one of South Sudan’s key teacher training institutions.

The students leader outlined five major grievances that have sparked growing unrest on campus.

“We are here to be shaped into teachers who can help build the nation’s education system, but how can that happen when even the basics are missing? The administration is failing us,” one member of the students’ executive body said.

Among the top concerns is the prolonged power outage. Students said there has not been electricity for about one month despite the institution receiving regular administrative fees and support from partner organizations.

The blackout has disrupted studies and dormitory life, yet there is no explanation offered by school leadership.

The second major issue is the alleged dismissal of qualified teaching staff, which students said has led to the hiring of less experienced personnel, weakening the academic foundation of the institute.

“There’s no justification for removing experienced teachers and replacing them with unqualified individuals. It affects our learning and, ultimately, the future of this country’s education.”

The students also accused the administration of a lack of clear institutional vision, controversial tuition charges labeled “emergency services.”

They said recently the administration allocated SSP 1,580,000 for a football tournament and ignored critical needs such as electricity and access to clean water.

“This shows misplaced priorities. We love sports, but not at the expense of our education and basic living conditions,” said another student representative.

However, efforts to reach the administration for comment were unsuccessful by press time.